Celebrating Japan’s Native Catfish

Every year on July 10th, Japan marks Japanese Catfish Day 日本なまずの日. It was created by the Japanese Catfish Production Co. Ltd., based in Kagoshima. They are known for producing and farming Japanese Catfish. The date was chosen as the anniversary because 7/10 can be read as "Na (7) mazu (10)", the Japanese for "catfish". 

Although catfish are eaten in only some regions, they have long been valued as a nutritious food. Traditionally, people believed catfish helped with recovery after childbirth, and today they’re appreciated as a stamina‑boosting dish during Japan’s hot summers. Where I live, fishing for catfish in the wild is a very popular pastime! 

By creating the anniversary, the company hoped to introduce Japan’s native catfish to a wider audience. Through fully controlled aquaculture, from hatching to shipment, the company can now steadily supply a mild, clean-tasting white flesh fish to the market. Have you ever eaten Japanese Catfish?