【Reading】げた

【English Name】Sushi Geta

Geta refers to the wooden stand used at sushi restaurants when serving nigiri-zushi. Formally called "sushi-geta," it is also known as "sushi-dai" or "sushi mori-dai." The stand has legs, and because its appearance resembles geta (traditional wooden clogs), it came to be called by this name. Flat ones without legs are distinguished as "mori-ita."

For a single serving, the "hassun" size (about 24 cm wide × 15 cm deep × 6 cm high) has generally been used. Plain straight-grained (masame) wood is preferred for the material, and hinoki (Japanese cypress) in particular, having antibacterial properties, is valued at sushi restaurants that handle raw foods. Straight-grained wood also has excellent moisture-regulating properties, and is chosen for the same reasons as sushi tubs and rice containers (ohitsu).

Historically, sushi was originally placed directly on leaves such as baran spread on the counter, but for reasons of hygiene and moisture control, geta-type serving stands came to be used.

Note that as sushi-restaurant jargon, "geta" means the number 3. This is said to derive from the fact that geta have three holes through which the thongs are passed.