OniOkoze – DevilStinger [Sushi|Foodlore]

Description

Okoze. – Kanji:鰧, 虎魚 Katakana: オコゼ Hiragana: おこぜ –  AKA: Stonefish/Devil Stinger/Scorpion fish. – オニオコゼ (Oni-Okoze, 鬼虎魚)

• About this fish: A bottom dwelling, white fleshed fish with venomous dorsal fins, most often eaten in the winter time & called “the puffer-fish of winter” – Much like Fugu, Stone fish must be prepared cautiously by an expert because of its venomous dorsal fins & tough skin, a sting from the fins can be fatal to humans. (thankfully the rest of the fish is not poisonous) It’s considered ‘a dish that rewards the adventurous!’ despite the ugly mug, it has a very sweet, light flavor!  There are a few theories that say the fish was named “okoze” either because of its ridiculously stupid, angry (“oko”) face. The name “oni-okoze” is said to come from the fact that it is an ugly fish which resembles a demon. (see also: Oni.) 

a common folkstory about Stone Fish goes as follows:  “Once upon a time, there was a mountain god who was not very good-looking. The villagers offered him a scorpionfish, which was even uglier than the mountain god, as a tribute. The mountain god was very fond of the scorpionfish, and since then, it has been chosen as a tribute to the mountain god. Surely, the fact that it tastes good is also a reason!” – Kinoshita fish shop. (For more similar Okoze tales from around Japan, please see also; Dr. gabi greve’s blogspot) – a rather funny fact is that this scary fish is also a distant relative to the far move beloved and adorable “lumpfish.”