Hamaguri – [Sushi|Foodlore]

Description

Hamaguri. – (Asian Hard Clams.) – Hiragana: はまぐり,  Katakana: ハマグリ, Kanij: 蛤. – Seasons: November – March

• About this fish: Clams (& shellfish in general) are most often either cooked, steamed, simmered, broiled or boiled & then served fresh & still hot on the spot as Nigiri by the chef! They tend to have a deceptively crunchy texture. Hamaguri are also popularly served as soup, most often served at wedding celebrations.   Clams are iconic as part of Hinamatsuri. (The Girls Festival, celebrated annually on March 3rd.). A Clam’s shell only fits with its respective other half, as such in folklore, they are often considered a symbol of matrimony & wedded bliss, one good example is “Kaiawase” (a painted shell matching game.) which was a very popular wedding gift in the Edo period for this reason! (A yokai that is based on this game is called “Kaichigo.”) – Incidentally conversely to that; “Round Clams” (Aoyagi) are also called “Baka-Gai” or ”Idiot/Fool-Clams” they’re named as such because their ‘mouths’ are always slightly agape!

Another funny bit of clam related yokai folklore has it that occasionally when a fisherman catches a Hamaguri & decides to throw it back into the sea, the grateful clam will decide to repay this act of kindness by becoming the fisherman’s loyal wife. The clam magically disguises itself as a human woman & serves him delicious soup everyday! (Unknown to the man, it’s made from the clams bathwater.) These relationships are short-lived and only last if the fisherman remains unaware of the Clams true identity. If it is ever discovered, the clam must leave her husband and return to the sea forever!

Sadly today, edible Hamaguri clams have become quite rare; The 2011 Tohoku Earthquakes had a massive impact which also affected the underwater shelves where the shellfish’s natural habitats once where. Today, They are more often imported from China and Korea and ‘re-planted’ as ”Nihamaguri.” (Which is far more sustainable in someways.)

[The artist/author would like to note:  it is very difficult to draw a clam without making it look like a “clam.” any phallic symbolism was not unintentional. ]

[Sticker art by @Samkalensky, Part of my Nigiri Sushi/Foodlore collections.]