"Hamo" seasonal fish cutting demonstration

 "Hamo"  is one of the specialities in Kyoto summer.  It is a kind of eel and translated as conger pike in English. Every July 5th, there is an annual event called "Hamo-dochu" that is precious opportunity to experience Kyoto food culture.

The highest-ranking geisha called "Tayu" also attends this event. "Tayu"  dyes teeth black that is different from other Geisha. It might sound unique for western people but "Tayu" keep the traditional custom.

My guest could enjoy commemorative photo with "Tayu"! 

"Tayu" was making attention of people rather than fish cutting demonstration  but the main purpose of this event is for promoting "Hamo" traditional seafood culture.  "Hamo"  contains a lot of small bones so cooking it requires professional skill. 

The chef was slicing the fish around one millimeter interval to cut the bones and press associate was recording the sound.  It is real hassle to prepare so it is not consumed so much elsewhere.  

But why Kyoto people have loved this fish? The reason comes from the location of the city.
Since Kyoto is located far from sea, it was difficult to carry sea ingredients to the ancient capital in fresh condition.   "Hamo"  was the only fish that has strong vitality to be transported to Kyoto even in hot summer season. That was the reason Kyoto chef has to cut the fish meat so many times.

Bowl of "hamo cuisine" was served free of charge. It is cooked with somen-noodle and vegetables.  They also comes from Awaji island where the "Hamo" fish comes from.  Boiled "hamo" was shrimp like texture for my guest.

We also visited Fushimi Inari shrine where is famous for thousands of torii gates and I wrote the wish of guest on miniature torii.  One of them means  "recovery from illness" in Japanese that is for my guest's sister who couldn't participate the tour because of  her stomachache.
Miniature torii with Japanese words must be good souvenir for her but also worked well because her sister actually got well and joined us together after the event!




Following is "Mamo-dochu2015" taken by Sankei