【Reading】たちうお

【English Name】Cutlassfish

The largehead hairtail (family Trichiuridae) is a migratory white-fleshed fish widely distributed across the coastal waters of tropical and temperate zones. It can grow to over 2 m in body length and is characterized by a silvery body that lacks scales and is covered with guanine pigment. There are two theories about its Japanese name: one holds that it is called "tachi-uo" (sword fish) because its body shape resembles a long sword (tachi), and the other that it is called "tachi-uo" (standing fish) because of the way it swims vertically. Its dorsal fin runs along the entire length of the back and has more than 130 soft rays. The flesh is tender, light, and has a refined sweetness, and in sushi it is classified as a white-fleshed fish. In producing regions such as Kishu, Banshu, and Amakusa, it is sometimes served with the skin on as sashimi or nigiri. Searing it enhances the flavor of the fat. In Japan it is caught from Hokkaido to Kyushu, with large landings in the Seto Inland Sea. The fishing season is mainly around April to October.