Yamaguchi Prefecture
Chishanamasu

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- Main lore areas
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All over the prefecture, Kitaura area
- Main ingredients used
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Chisha, fish, miso
- History/origin/related events
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Kaki-chisha is a traditional Shimonoseki vegetable that used to be cultivated in each family's garden. It is a shriveled leaf vegetable with a moderate bitterness and a hint of sweetness. It is called kakichisha because the leaves are harvested by plucking them from the bottom, hence the name "kagu," which means "to pluck" in the local dialect.
A local dish using kaki-chisha, a traditional local ingredient, is "chisha namasu," which is made by mixing chopped kaki-chisha with vinegared miso paste and sesame seeds. It is also called "chishamomom" because it is made by mixing the kaki-chisha with sesame seeds and vinegared miso. It is a popular home-style dish because it is nutritious and contains calcium and protein. However, kakichisha has become difficult to obtain in recent years, and is often substituted with sunny lettuce or green lettuce. It is also delicious when made with garland chrysanthemum. Chishanamasu" was born during the Mori period (1568-1868). It is said to have been invented by the people who were impoverished by the Battle of Sekigahara.
- Opportunities and times of eating habits
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Chishayaki is commonly prepared as a home-style dish. It is also sometimes served to guests as an entertaining dish.
- How to eat
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Wash kakichisha, drain water thoroughly, and tear into bite-size pieces. Soak wakame in water and cut into bite-sized pieces. Pour boiling water over baby sardines and drain. Add sugar, capsicum juice and vinegar to miso, grind well, and mix with kakichisha, wakame and shirasu just before eating. You can also use kakichisha by quickly pouring hot water over it and then squeeze it out after cooling in water. If you do not like sourness, you can add ground sesame or mirin to mellow the taste. In the past, iriko (dried sardines) were used, but recently, various kinds of fish such as shashirasu (dried young sardines), namari (a type of fish with a sweet taste), and vinegared fish have been used.
- Efforts for Preservation and Succession
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(Outline of the people who have passed on the dish, preservation groups, use of SNS, modern efforts such as commercialization, etc.)
In addition to being a common home-style dish, it is also served in school lunches.