Hello. This is Izasa – Nakatani Honpo – which serves Nara’s local cuisine “Persimmon Leaf Sushi”.
The word sushi” comes in many varieties, including nigiri sushi, stick sushi, and inari sushi. Among them,chirashi sushi” has a gorgeous appearance, and many people eat it on special occasions.
This time, I would like to focus on “chirashi sushi” and explain its history and regional differences.
Origin of chirashi sushi
There are several theories about the origin of chirashi sushi, but none are certain.
The most influential example is that at the beginning of the Edo period, the first lord of the Bizen Okayama domain, Mitsumasa Ikeda, ordered the common people to be frugal and frugal, and to eat one soup and one dish” except for festivals. There is a theory that it was mixed with other ingredients to give it the appearance of aone dish.”
This is how Okayama’s “bara sushi” was born. In Western Japan, chirashi sushi is often called “bara sushi,” so some people may be familiar with it.
In addition, the book Morisada Manko, which describes the customs of the three capitals (Kyoto, Osaka, and Edo) at the end of the Edo period, includes instructions for making “Chirashi Gomokuzushi”, and at least at the end of the Edo period, It is thought that it was widely produced throughout the country. Also, since this book describes the customs of the Kamigata region, it is reasonable to assume that it spread from the Kansai region throughout the country.
In fact, there are many types of chirashi sushi
When you think of chirashi sushi, you imagine tamago sprinkled on top of vinegared rice and ingredients such as shrimp, lotus root, and conger eel, but there are actually many different types of sushi. Also, did you know that the image of flyers differs depending on the region?
Is it actually different between East and West? chirashi sushi
Western Japan chirashi sushi
In western Japan, chirashi sushi refers to vinegared rice with tamago and seaweed sprinkled on top, and toppings such as small pieces of koya tofu, dried gourd, and shrimp.
It is characterized by not using raw fish, but instead using grilled or boiled ingredients. Another characteristic is that boiled things such as shiitake mushrooms and dried gourd are often mixed into the vinegared rice. In some areas, it is called “Gomoku Chirashi.”
Chirashi sushi from eastern Japan
On the other hand, chirashi sushi in eastern Japan is made by arranging ingredients such as raw fish and tamago on top of vinegared rice. It was created in the Edo period, around the time when the current “nigiri sushi” began to be eaten, and from that point of view, chirashi sushi in western Japan is thought to have an older history.
There are many other things! chirashi sushi
Elegant flyer
It was originally called Fukiyose Sushi,” but now it is often referred to asFukiyose Chirashi,” a type of chirashi sushi.
“Fukiyose” refers to the appearance of red leaves dancing in the wind, and is often considered an autumn dish. It is characterized by the fact that the ingredients are larger than regular chirashi sushi, and they are arranged in an elegant manner.
Warm chirashi sushi “mushi sushi”
“Mushi sushi” is a type of sushi that was invented from chirashi sushi. This is chirashi sushi placed in a bowl and heated in a bamboo steamer. It is a type of sushi that was often eaten in winter in Osaka and Kyoto, and is also called “nukuzushi.”
In the past, the sight of steam rising from bamboo steamers outside the eaves of sushi restaurants in Kyoto was a winter tradition. Nowadays, thanks to advances in freezing technology, there are products that can be eaten by heating frozen chirashi sushi in the microwave.
Steamed sushi is explained in detail in the article below.
Chirashi sushi is a staple of the Doll’s Festival!
When you think of eating chirashi sushi, the first thing that comes to mind is the Doll’s Festival.
Glamorous chirashi sushi is perfect for the Doll’s Festival, a festival to pray for the healthy growth of girls.
Chirashi sushi is said to have been eaten during the Doll’s Festival since the Taisho period. It seems to have become popular because it has a gorgeous appearance and is perfect for the Doll’s Festival, where girls wish for their healthy growth.
The article below explains the Hinamatsuri in detail.
lastly
What did you think? This time, we looked at the history of chirashi sushi and its types. Chirashi sushi comes in a variety of forms, and I hope you find it interesting and has an interesting history.
At Izasa, we are selling chirashi sushi as a limited edition item for spring. In addition, the “steamed sushi” introduced in the article is also on sale. This type is delivered frozen all over the country, and you can heat it in the microwave before eating.
Please be sure to check out these products as well.
