Katsuo - Skipjack tuna, loved in Edo

Cooking of skipjack tuna, from Ukiyoe by Toyokuni Utagawa 3rd

In Edo period, they loved skipjack tuna, "Katsuo" in Japanese. Especially people in Edo, the capital city of Shogunate, loved this fish which came to offshore of Kanto district in spring. And there were fever of skipjack tuna, in first lot in season.

Ujitsuna Hojo, warlord as "Sengoku-Daimyo"

Why people in Edo were crazy for skipjack tuna? There is one folktale.

In 1537, Ujitsuna Hojo, warlord who roled Southern Kanto district, went sightseeing by boat. Then, a skipjack tuna skipped in his boat, and he really felled favorable sign by this happening. Because pronunciation of "Katsuo (skipjack tuna)" is similar to "Katsu-Uo (Winning fish) ". And after that happy sign, Ujitsuna defeated Tomosada Uesugi. Since this tale of winning fish, Samurai loved skipjack tuna, and spread to citizen in Edo.

Bought spring skipjack tuna at Nihon-bashi by Toyokuni Utagawa 3rd

Sharing spring skipjack tuna, from Ukiyoe by Toyokuni Utagawa 3rd

From 17 century to 19 century, Japanese fishers challenge fishing this fortune fish  in offshore of Sagami bay every spring. After catch it, they shipped to Shinba-bashi, river side market in Edo. And then, the rush for skipjack tuna started! First lot went Edo castle for Shogun, another lot reserved for Daimyo or wealthy merchant, the others soled for citizen. People believed that they must had skipjack tuna by noon because of freshness. So, price of the fish is so expensive in morning, and be cheeper in afternoon.

Katsuo-Tataki
(C)JAPAN a while ago

Today, I taste skipjack tuna, first of this spring. But I defeated by complex administrative procedure. Fortune of Katsuo didn't affect for me.