Tanoura Gindachi Cutlassfish (Kumamoto): season, origin and where to buy

Official registration details (MAFF)

The registered description as published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Characteristics

Tanoura Gindachi refers to line-caught tachiuo (largehead hairtail or Japanese cutlassfish) unloaded at Ashikitamachi fishing port. The fish is characterized by its thick flesh, excellent balance of fattiness and white-flesh-fish umami, tight body, and immaculately bright and shiny silver-white skin. It is highly rated by the market for its superior quality, and at Kumamoto City's regional wholesale market is traded at prices roughly 50% higher than other tachiuo.

Link with the production area

The excellent flesh quality of Tanoura Gindachi is due to the abundance of feed--sardines and other small fish--in high-productivity Yatsushiro Sea, which is fed by nutrients from the Kuma River. Being located at the center of the migratory route of tachiuo, a geographical advantage for finding fishing spots, has encouraged the establishment of hook and line fishing techniques. Community-wide rigorous implementation of careful freshness-keeping measures for caught fish has added further value to Tanoura Gindachi.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s88.html)

Where to buy

As a rule, only products that meet the registered standard may use a GI name (with exceptions such as prior use). Check for the GI mark and the place of origin to tell it apart from ordinary products with similar names.

We have not found a reliable online or furusato nozei listing yet. Ask local farm stands or the producer group.

FAQ

Line-caught cutlassfish (tachiuo) from the Yatsushiro Sea, landed at the Tanoura fishing port in Ashikita Town, Kumamoto Prefecture. The fish are well fleshed and firm, with a good balance of fat and white-fish umami, and keep their shiny silver-white skin. At a Kumamoto City wholesale market they sell for about 50 percent more than other cutlassfish.

Tanoura Gindachi Cutlassfish is produced in Waters off Tanoura, Ashikita Town, Ashikita County, Kumamoto Prefecture, and surrounding waters (Yatsushiro Sea).

We have not confirmed a reliable online or furusato nozei listing. Local farm stands or the producer group are your best bet.

Tanoura Gindachi Cutlassfish was registered as a Geographical Indication on December 10, 2019 (Registration No. 88). The registered producer group is Ashikitamachi Fisheries Cooperative.