🍚 Okata-Zushi (Sushi Rice Balls with Mackerel and Beans)

There are a variety of sushi dishes in Oita prefecture. “Okata-Zushi” is a type of sushi from Takenaka district of Oita city. The sushi is bale-shaped and is made with grilled Japanese horse mackerel and cooked sweet pinto beans. The word “okata” refers to a village headman. In the past, there was an event named “jigoku-iri” which took place before the busy farming season. The village headman would hand out “Okata-Zushi” to the peasants as a token of his appreciation for their hard work. The event symbolizes the hard work of the farmers and the enjoyable time that people would have at this event before the work began. The peasants rarely got to eat rice, so they were all very happy to receive the “Okata-Zushi.” At the time, the only fish available for the feast were Japanese horse mackerel and sardines and for vegetables, only beans and potatoes. Another type of sushi “mosso zushi” from Nakatsu and Usa cities of Oita prefecture is made by pressing the sushi into a square wooden mold called “mosso.” It is said that this dish was born at a time when rice was considered a delicacy and making the sushi with a mold allowed the rice to be divided equally among the people. “Kachi Ebi Chirashizushi” from Nagasu of Usa city is made with red shrimp, a specialty of the region and is served at festivals and on special occasions to guests. “Chadai zushi” from Usuki city is nigiri sushi made with vegetables instead of fish as it was cheaper to use vegetables. Common vegetables were used to lower the cost of making the sushi.