Shishamo
For the Japanese band, see Shishamo (band).
| Shishamo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Edible grilled shishamo | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Osmeriformes |
| Family: | Osmeridae |
| Genus: | Spirinchus |
| Species: | S. lanceolatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Spirinchus lanceolatus (Hikita, 1913) | |
Shishamo (柳葉魚, literally "Willow Leaf Fish"), or Spirinchus lanceolatus, is a saltwater fish (smelt) about 15 centimeters in length. It is slim and resembles a willow leaf; the Japanese name, 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 kanji (jukujikun, where the characters have no phonetic relation to the word). It is generally dark on the back with a silver-white underside. The Shishamo is a Japanese delicacy and is grilled or fried whole and served with its roe intact (ko-mochi-shishamo).