Former Good Crucian Carp Day (Ii Funa no Hi)

What Was "Good Crucian Carp Day"?

November 27 was formerly "Good Crucian Carp Day" (Ii Funa no Hi). It was established in 2000 by the Koga Funa Kanroni Association of Koga City, Ibaraki Prefecture, based on the wordplay "ii (11) fu (2) na (7)." However, the following year (2001) the association moved the day to February 7, now called "Crucian Carp Day" (from "fu (2) na (7)"). Today the official date is February 7, and November 27 is a former anniversary.

Koga City is known for "funa no kanroni," crucian carp slowly simmered in soy sauce and sugar. The crucian carp is one of Japan's most familiar freshwater fish, long enjoyed both as food and by anglers.

Types and Habits of Crucian Carp

• Ginbuna: The most common type of crucian carp, found widely in ponds, rivers, and rice paddies
• Gengorobuna (Herabuna): Hugely popular among anglers practicing "herabuna fishing." Native to Lake Biwa
• Kinbuna: A small variety common in the Kanto region
• Nigorobuna: A species unique to Lake Biwa, prized as the key ingredient in funazushi

Funazushi - Japan's Oldest Form of Sushi

Shiga Prefecture's "funazushi" is made by salting nigorobuna and then fermenting it with rice for a long period, producing a type of "narezushi" (fermented sushi) believed to be the ancestor of all sushi in Japan. It has a distinctively pungent aroma and tangy flavor - a traditional Shiga delicacy that's unforgettable once tasted, and a popular souvenir from the Omi region.

A Rare Case of a Day That "Moved"

The year after it was created, Good Crucian Carp Day dropped the "ii" (good) and moved to February 7, read as "fu (2) na (7)." Anniversary dates are rarely revised, but they sometimes change for ease of remembering or a better seasonal fit.

The Culture of Herabuna Fishing

Herabuna fishing is often called the "royal road of fishing" and is enjoyed at managed fishing ponds, wild ponds, and reservoirs all across Japan. Its charm lies in the use of the distinctively slender "hera rod" and the delicate skill needed to sense even the faintest bite through gentle, precise movements - a hobby with a devoted following, especially among middle-aged and older anglers.