Katsuo – [Sushi|Foodlore]

Description

• Katsuo. – (Skipjack, Bonito.) – Hiragana: かつお. Katakana:カツオ Kanji: 鰹.  – Seasons: June-November.

• About this Fish: Katsuo are the smallest “dwarf” cousins to Tuna. – Kure town, Koichi prefecture is a port town renown for catching this fish! “Hatsukatsuo” or first katsuo of the year are enjoyed seared at new years time! When served as Nigiri, its meat is often sared smokey, with the skin seared, Its vibrant meaty flesh on display!

Katsuo is a true staple in Japanese cuisine as its skin is often shaved, seared, wood-smoked, & then fermented into “Katsuo-bushi” (bonito flakes) which are used as either a topping or mixed with Kombu (Edible Kelp.) into a Dashi broth. Daishi serves as the basis for Miso soup, Oden broth, and most Noodle Soups (Widely Used in Ramen, Udon. etc) it is also often mixed into the batter of many types of grilled foods such as Okonomiyaki & Others. – Katsuo-bushi flakes are also very often used as a topping on Takoyaki, Onigiri and Tofu! Because these flakes are sliced so very thin, when used as a topping, any amount of steam or heat will make them appear to dance! (First time I had them, i didnt know what they were and I thought they where alive!!!)

‘Katsuo’ has a bit of a punny name – In Japanese; “Katsu” sounds a lot like the word for ”victory” (勝男) so, it’s often said that people would buy it for a premium at the docks for that reason alone! – (Apparently, even samurai would carry these dried fish into battle as a lucky snack!) – Overall its quite similar as to why in the modern day ‘kitkat’ bars are popularly marketed towards student graduates towards the summer. (For “Victory” over their exams!)[If there’s one thing I’ve learned over my time in selling sticker art too, it’s that no matter the language: Wordplay and Puns are truly king!!]

The fish is also known for the thick, dark blue stripes which run along the sides of the body (which appear only after death.) A rather common kimono pattern with thick blue stripes is called “Katsuo-shima.” – Incidentally; The main difference between “Bonito” and “Skipjack” is the direction these Stripes go! If they’re on the belly you’ve got Skipjack! if they’re on the back, you’re Bonito! (Doesn’t really matter too much, as the two fish are often substituted for each other!)

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

[katsuo ukioe print by Utagawa Hiroshige I (1797–1858)]