🍱 Kakuzushi/Hakozushi
“Kakuzushi” and “Hakozushi” are both types of pressed sushi. The difference lies in the shape and size of the wooden box used. “Kakuzushi” is a type of sushi that can be easily made with “Mossou”, a small wooden box (about 5 cm square). In addition to the square shape, there are also flower shapes and pine, bamboo and plum shapes. On the other hand, the wooden box used in "Hakozushi" is larger than that of "Kakuzushi" and the finished product is cut into pieces before serving. In recent years, there are many areas where "Kakuzushi" is made easily in small amounts, but there are also areas where "Hakozushi", which can be made in large quantities at a time, has taken root as a local dish. “Hakozushi”, traditional in the Iwami region, is a type of pressed sushi that does not use fish or meat. Layer the sushi rice and vegetables in a square wooden box and place a thin plate between them. Then it is repeated and stacked: sushi rice, vegetables, thin plate...and so on. Finally, push from the top and apply pressure, cut into pieces, and garnish with thin strips of egg, sakura denpu (pink-colored minced fish) and green leaves (sansho (Japanese pepper) and carrot leaves). It is said that in the Edo period (1603 - 1868), the wife of the local governor dispatched to the area around the shogunate's domain of Iwami Ginzan (silver mine) missed the taste of Edo and handed down the cooking methods to the locals. Another theory is that it was introduced as food for soldiers during the Warring States period (1467-1603).