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Tsubugai (Whelk) Sushi

Tsubu / Whelk / Ezo-neptune

Shellfish

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Neogastropoda, Buccinidae

Tsubu does not refer to a specific species, but is a common name for some edible shellfish among the spiral-shelled snails. Most of the tsubu in distribution belong to the family Buccinidae. They are soft with a slightly firm bite, with a little savoriness and sweetness, though many have a somewhat light flavor.

Tsubu is a general term for edible spiral-shelled snails caught in the Sea of Japan and north of the Tohoku Pacific side. "Tsubu" means "roundish" or "slightly elongated." Most of the tsubu in distribution belong to the genera Neptunea and Buccinum of the family Buccinidae. The "bora" in the Japanese name "Ezobora" comes from the fact that the inside of the spiral shell (like a conch / horagai) is hollow (hora). Well-known tsubu include matsubu (Neptunea), known as a luxury sushi topping; the slender, clearly-ribbed "lighthouse tsubu" (such as Buccinum isaotakii, Buccinum bayani, Neptunea constricta, and related species); and the "iso tsubu" caught in shallow coastal waters (such as Neptunea arthritica, Buccinum, and small Buccinum species). Those used at conveyor-belt sushi restaurants are often the European whelk imported in frozen packs. In particular, the matsubu is the representative tsubu, large at about 20 cm in size and weighing around 1 kg. It is expensive, but as a spiral-shelled snail it is caught steadily, so it has become a standard ingredient for sushi and sashimi. With its shellfish-like flavor and strong texture, it is a highly popular sushi topping.

The Flavor of Tsubu and Points to Note

The defining feature of tsubu is its somewhat light flavor with faint savoriness and sweetness. Compared to other shellfish such as abalone and turban shell, it is softer but still has a firm bite. Tsubu of the family Buccinidae have a poison called "tetramine" in their salivary glands that paralyzes human nerves, and eating large amounts without removing the salivary glands can cause poisoning symptoms, so the salivary glands must be removed during preparation.
Lighthouse tsubu (Buccinum isaotakii) from Ibaraki Lighthouse tsubu (Buccinum isaotakii) from Ibaraki

Did Kimutaku Go Blind from Tsubu Poisoning?

In the film "Love and Honor" (Bushi no Ichibun), there is a scene where Shinnojo Mimura, a food taster played by Takuya Kimura, falls unconscious from tsubu poison and goes blind - but is this true?
Tsubu contain tetramine in the salivary gland area, which can cause visual disturbances, headaches, and unsteadiness, like symptoms of drunkenness, but it is said that one's eyesight does not deteriorate and going blind is impossible.

In the film "Love and Honor" (Bushi no Ichibun), there is a scene where Shinnojo Mimura, a food taster played by Takuya Kimura, falls unconscious from tsubu poison and goes blind - but is this true?
Tsubu contain tetramine in the salivary gland area, which can cause visual disturbances, headaches, and unsteadiness, like symptoms of drunkenness, but it is said that one's eyesight does not deteriorate and going blind is impossible.

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