🍱 Funankogui

The Ariake Sea has a tidal range of about 6 meters, and at low tide, tidal flats extend 5 to 7 meters offshore. Although fish and shellfish of unusual shapes and sizes can be caught here, an alternative source of protein was needed during the off-season in winter. One such fish that was valued as a wintertime protein source was crucian carp, a river fish. It is the most common freshwater fish caught in Saga Prefecture, and is often caught in the creeks of Shiraishi and the Saga Plain, as well as in rivers. Farmers, in particular, catch crucian carp when draining rice paddies in the fall to dry them for long-term preservation. A famous local dish using crucian carp is "funankogui. Also called funanokogui, this dish consists of crucian carp wrapped in kelp and slowly simmered with seasonal vegetables such as radish, and is softened so that it can be eaten right down to the bones. It is loved as a local delicacy because of its unique flavor and lack of fishy smell. It is always served on special occasions throughout Saga Prefecture, and when it is prepared at home, it is customary to make a large pot of it and distribute it to neighbors. In Kashima City, there is a custom of offering funankogui to Ebisu-sama on January 20, the 20th day of the New Year, to pray for a good catch, prosperous business, and family safety. According to some accounts, the sea bream offered to Ebisu-sama was too expensive for the common people to afford, so they used crucian carp, which is similar in shape, to make up for it, or crucian carp was used instead of fish that could not be caught in the Ariake Sea in winter. In addition, a "funa-ichi" (funa market) has been held for more than 300 years on the 20th day of the New Year, where fresh live funa are sold as ingredients for "funankogui".