Sun-dried fish | SHIZUOKA SUSHI & SASHIMI: The other Jewels of Japan

Shizuoka prefecture produces no less than 50% of all sun-dried Fish or himono/干物 in Japanese and some of them are simply extravagant!
It was an essential way to preserve fish in Japan and still us. The difference is that presently it is becoming more and more a delicacy!

If you get Mochimune JR Station, walk straight to the sea side and proceed on the right along the street bordering the beach you will eventually find this man-sized billboard!

The writing of the wall under the roof is not much of an indication but all that netting is there to fend off birds from a real gastronomic treasure trove!

Now, I have been in Japan for more than half of the years I have lived in this world and this is the first time I found the sight of a whole monkfish/goosefish being hung for sun-drying!

I wonder how long it takes to dry completely in this natural way!
And how much would it cost? LOL

A true artist!
Such a praise might surprise some but Mr. Yoshikata Nishina/仁科好方さん has many a talent as I will have the pleasure to explain right away!

For all his diminutive size, mr. Nishina ha enough energy for two!
When he noticed me hovering the fish being dried in the sun he welcomed me with an enormous smile and invited me right inside, repeating “Don’t worry abut buying, but please do visit my shop at ease!”
Which of course I did, only to find myself admiring at more than the succulent-looking dried fish on display!

when I saw that ink paiting on the wall I remarked that it reminded of exactly the same artist’s work hung on the wall of my dermatologist back in Shizuoka City!
The answer came up immediately with a grin: “Well this dermatologist actually lives in the neighborhood and it is I who painted it!”

he went to explain that since he decided to leave his company work quite a few years ago to embark into this venture close to the sea and nature he found himself with plenty of time to indulge into painting and all kinds of activities!

His talents certainly account for no bounds!

Even wood sculpture!

Madai/Japanese red snapper!

But his art is also emphasized by attention to details and health!
he does not use any coloring agents, drying agents or any artificial means!
All the fish is exclusively dried in the sun and wind outside and nothing else, with the addition of some salt and soy sauce!