Seafood Shishamo

Shishamoor Sisyamo orSpirinchus lanceolatus(柳葉魚?, literally "Willow Leaf Fish")is a saltwater fish (smelt) about 15 centimeters in length. It is slim and resembles awillowleaf; theJapanesename,shishamo, is derived from theAinuname for the same fish,susam, which is supposed to be derived from a compound of Ainususu"willow" +ham"leaf", hence its name inkanji(jukujikun, where the characters have no phonetic relation to the word). It is generally dark on the back with a silver-white underside. The Shishamo is a Japanese delicacy and is grilled or fried whole and served with its roe intact (ko-mochi-shishamo).