Kamaboko

Fish Cake Aboard or processed fish paste cake on a board

Today it has become a very ordinary food, but its roots dating back to the Heian Period (794 - 1192) and the warrior lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi of the Azuchi Momoyama Period (1568 - 1600) used to love this food. By the way, there’s a group called Kamaboko Rengōkai (lit. National Kamaboko Association) promoting the food and even the day for Kamaboko is established (November 15). Also, there’s this so-called Kamaboko Taisō (or Kamaboko Exercise) as shown in a video at their site. In the video, the benefits and charms of the food are expressed in the song, to which an Onēsan (a young woman), children and two Yuru Chara (Kyara) (promo mascots) named Kamapy (after Kamaboko) and Chikkle (after Chikuwa) are dancing (exercising). By the way, there are many products such as Kani Kama (Crab Kamaboko) and Cheese Kamaboko, to name just a few. If you’re interested in the food, do check the English page of the site, although the titles are all in Japanese (but the contents are in English).

Kamaboko served like Sashimi.

A typical Kamaboko product.

Kamaboko served like Sashimi. A typical Kamaboko product.