Okayama

A food of “hare”(special occasions) which was invented to get past the thrift ordinance

Barazushi

A traditional sushi colorfully decorated with a lot of fresh fish and seasonal vegetables. In the Edo Period the lord of Chikuzen Okayama, Mitsumasa Ikeda issued the Thrift Ordinance which ordered to have only “one soup and one side dish” for a meal. Barazushi was then invented to get past the order by putting a lot of fish and vegetables with sushi rice but still looking as “one side dish.” It has become a dish for festivals and celebrations today as “hare” food, and is also called Okayama zushi or Matsuri (festival) sushi.