Shishamo

Shishamo
	Grilled shishamo
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Osmeriformes
Family:	Osmeridae
Genus:	Spirinchus
Species:	S. lanceolatus
Binomial name
	Spirinchus lanceolatus; (Hikita, 1913)

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Shishamo (柳葉魚, literally "Willow Leaf Fish"), or Spirinchus lanceolatus, is an anadromous fish (smelt) native to Hokkaido, Japan.^[1]

Description

This fish averages 15 centimeters in length, with a maximum recorded length of 70 cm.^[1] It is generally dark on the back with a silver-white underside.

Etymology

The fish is said to resemble a willow leaf, and its Japanese name reflects this; shishamo, is derived from the Ainu name for the same fish, susam, which is supposed to be derived from a compound of Ainu susu "willow" + ham "leaf", hence its name in Chinese characters (柳葉魚 jukujikun, where the characters have no phonetic relation to the word).^[2]^[3]^[4]

Food use

In Japanese cuisine, this fish is grilled or fried whole and served with its roe intact.

The total 2021 catch in Kushiro, where 85% of Japanese shishamo are caught, was 124 tons - a reduction of 50% compared to the year before. ^[5] Due to declining catches in recent years, attempts have been made to commercially farm the fish in Japan.^[6] In recent years capelin (Mallotus villosus) has appeared on the market with the name "Karafuto shishamo."

References

^ ^a ^b "Spirinchus lanceolatus summary page". FishBase. Retrieved 2019-04-09.
^ "第２２話北海道にしかいない魚「シシャモ」". 地方独立行政法人北海道立総合研究機構. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
^ "アイヌ伝説神からの贈りもの【ししゃも】". APNA食品図鑑. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
^ "鵡川ししゃも「楊の葉に命を与えたのは神様」". 北海道むかわ町. Retrieved 2016-02-09.
^ 新ししゃも豆知識十勝総合振興局産業振興部水産課
^ Tokunaga, Saki (2014-01-13). "Fish expert farming rare 'shishamo'". The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2019-04-09.

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[:0-1] "Spirinchus lanceolatus summary page". FishBase. Retrieved 2019-04-09.

[2] "第２２話北海道にしかいない魚「シシャモ」". 地方独立行政法人北海道立総合研究機構. Retrieved 2013-09-21.

[3] "アイヌ伝説神からの贈りもの【ししゃも】". APNA食品図鑑. Retrieved 2013-09-21.

[4] "鵡川ししゃも「楊の葉に命を与えたのは神様」". 北海道むかわ町. Retrieved 2016-02-09.

[5] 新ししゃも豆知識十勝総合振興局産業振興部水産課

[6] Tokunaga, Saki (2014-01-13). "Fish expert farming rare 'shishamo'". The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2019-04-09.

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