Sushi

Sushi ("seasoned rice") has been eaten for centuries in Japan. Sushi is sometimes confused with "sashimi" (raw fish).

Sushi originated as a method of preserving fish. In early times, fish was marinated in salt, pressed with stone, removed from the stone after a few weeks, and then served with seasoned rice. There are three basic forms - "Maki-zushi" are rolls made with seaweed, rice and seafood or vegetables. "Nigiri-sushi" consists of a piece of seafood sitting on top of a block of rice. "Gunkan sushi" consists of unusual types of sealife (salmon roe, fish eggs or urchins) resting within a piece of seafood shaped like a boat or cup. The rice is short-grained and seasoned with vinigar. mirin or sugar after cooking.

Edo Period Restaurant Menu: A painting by Yoshikuni Utagawa

In this painting, a wooden sushi box is labeled with Matsuno-zushi. A mackerel-sushi, thick roll and tuna shishi are piled on a small plate. Matsuno-zushi was a famous sushi shop and said to be one of the originators of "nigiri-style" sushi.

Go here to see other traditional paintings of sushi, sushi stands and sushi eating places in Ancient Japan.

Here are two complete sets of high-resolution 3D models for making scenes. Both contain sushi and the appropriate sushi implements.