【Reading】おしわく

【English Name】Sushi Pressing Mold

An oshiwaku is a wooden mold used when making pressed sushi. It is also called a "sushi-waku" or "sushi-gata." Its structure consists of three parts—the outer frame, the bottom lid, and the pressing lid—and it is classified as a type of "oshibako" (pressing box).

To use it, first wet the entire wooden mold with water and wipe it with vinegar. Set the outer frame on top of the bottom lid, and lay sushi konbu, bamboo leaves, or aspidistra leaves on the bottom surface. Arrange the toppings on top and pack in the vinegared rice. Depending on the type, the topping and vinegared rice may be layered alternately. Finally, place the pressing lid on top and press down from above to blend the ingredients and vinegared rice together. There are also types that can be fixed in place with metal fittings.

Once shaping is complete, lift off the outer frame and cut into pieces with a knife to complete the pressed sushi. In the case of sushi that uses konbu, such as battera, a step is added in which vinegar-moistened thin white konbu is draped over before cutting.

It is an indispensable tool for regional sushi across Japan, such as Osaka's battera, Kanazawa's oshizushi, and small sea-bream suzume-zushi, and its size and shape differ by region and use.