Sushi is now synonymous with Japanese culture. With the global boom in Japanese food, the number of Japanese restaurants, including sushi shops, has exceeded 150,000 worldwide. However, even among Japanese people, there are probably not many who fully understand the definition and history of sushi.

This article will provide a general explanation of sushi as part of Japanese culture, including its general definition, types, origins, and etiquette and manners when eating it. We hope you will find this article useful as a source of trivia to help you enjoy sushi more deliciously and with more enjoyment.

Sushi as Japanese culture

First, let's get a grasp of the basics to get a full picture of sushi as a part of Japanese culture.

General definition of sushi and its representative types

First, let me explain the definition of sushi.

Sushi is a Japanese dish that generally combines vinegared rice and toppings (mainly seafood). In addition to fresh seafood, it is not uncommon for the toppings to include meat, vegetables, eggs, and other ingredients.

Furthermore, there are many different types of sushi. California rolls are a good example overseas, but the ingredients and descriptions vary depending on the region and store.

The following types of sushi are popular:

• Nigiri sushi
• sushi rolls
• pressed sushi
• Chirashi sushi
• bar sushi
• Inari sushi
• Hand-rolled sushi
• warship

Three typical ways to write sushi

In addition to the "sushi" used in this article, "sushi" can also be written as "鮓" or "鮨." Let's take a look at the differences and characteristics of each.

• sushi

This is currently the most common way to write it. It originated from an ateji (a Japanese slang expression) created in the Edo period as a lucky charm, and it can be used regardless of the topic or type, so it is widely used.

• sushi

Of the three, "sushi" is the oldest. It originally meant fermented sushi, and inherited the etymology of the word "sushi," which means "sour."

• sushi

This is the second oldest spelling after "sushi." It is often used for Edomae-style sushi, and also refers to the sushi itself.

The history of sushi as Japanese culture

Sushi has a history and culture that spans over a thousand years in Japan. Next, we'll explore the surprisingly little-known origins of sushi.

Sushi originated from a fermented food called narezushi in Southeast Asia.

In fact, sushi originated not in Japan but in Southeast Asia. It is said that sushi originated from a fermented food called "narezushi," which was invented by people living in mountainous regions at the time as a way to preserve fish that was hard to obtain for a long period of time.

In Japan, matured sushi was presented to the Imperial Court as a tribute during the Nara period. Modern pressed sushi and boxed sushi still have traces of that time, but in the Kamakura period, matured sushi using leftover fish began to appear.

Sushi first took on its modern style during the Edo period

In the mid-Edo period, when rice vinegar became commonplace, "haya-zushi" (fast sushi), which did not require fermentation, was born, ushering in an era where sushi could be eaten immediately without waiting.

In the late Edo period, nigiri sushi was invented, but because it was about the size of a rice ball, it was eaten in pieces. The modern style of serving two pieces on one plate is a vestige of that time.

Sashimi began to be used as a topping after the Meiji period.

After the ice industry began to flourish in 1897, along with the development of fishing methods and distribution, sushi restaurants that had previously been unable to serve raw sashimi were able to preserve their ingredients by cooling them in ice.

The common modern-day method of serving sushi by smearing the toppings with boiled soy sauce is a style that was established during this period.

Fast forward to the early Taisho period, when electric refrigerators began to appear in sushi restaurants, and the variety of toppings increased rapidly, while the portions became smaller.

After that, Edomae sushi spread to the countryside as sushi chefs were scattered all over the country due to the effects of the Great Kanto Earthquake.

During the Showa era, sushi restaurants were once considered too expensive, but the emergence of conveyor belt sushi restaurants changed the situation.

Sushi had been steadily developing, but the situation changed dramatically in the Showa era. During the period of rapid economic growth, the previously popular food stalls for sushi were closed down for hygiene reasons.

However, in 1958, the first ever conveyor-belt sushi restaurant opened in Osaka, and sushi once again regained its status as a food for the common people.

Modern sushi, which can be enjoyed at an affordable price, exists as a result of this historical trend.

Etiquette and Manners When Eating Sushi as a Part of Japanese Culture

You can't talk about sushi as a part of Japanese culture without also considering proper etiquette and manners when eating it. It may seem a little formal, but these are like the secrets to enjoying a sushi restaurant, so let's take a look at each point one by one.

Talk to the craftsman

If you visit a sushi restaurant where you can get up close and personal with the sushi chef, be sure to try talking to him. It may seem like a big hurdle, but asking about the day's recommendations and letting him know about your favorite foods and allergies will help you enjoy a more fulfilling meal.

Sushi chefs have an image of being quiet, but surprisingly, many of them love to talk, so why not muster up the courage to give it a try?

Nigiri sushi is eaten with hands, not chopsticks

There are some cultures where eating with your hands is not welcomed, so these days, it is common to see people eating sushi with chopsticks, even in Japan. Of course, how you eat it is a matter of personal preference, but if you don't mind, why not try picking up the sushi and tasting it?

In fact, the sushi that sushi chefs make with all their skill is delicately adjusted to include just the right amount of air so that the sushi melts just right the moment you put it in your mouth.

Therefore, if you accidentally grab the chopsticks with too much force, they will lose their shape and you will miss out on the opportunity to enjoy the special flavor.