[For Seniors] Looks readable but you can't read it! Fish Kanji Quiz

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!
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My name is Moko, a mother of three who admired my mother and worked in the care industry as a care worker and as a medical social worker (MSW) in a hospital. I will be drawing on my previous experience to write mainly about caregiving. Thank you in advance.

There are many kanji characters that represent fish, and a lot of them are pretty difficult, aren’t they?

Do you know which kanji are used for the fish you usually eat, like sushi, sashimi, or grilled fish?

Unless you’re a real fish enthusiast, there are probably some you don’t know.

In this article, we present a kanji quiz about fish.

We’ve gathered kanji for a variety of fish, starting with familiar ones you often see at the dining table.

Of course, the goal is to get the answers right, but what’s really important in a quiz is the thinking process!

It’s perfect for older adults.

It also works as brain training, so have fun and give it a try!

[For Seniors] Looks Readable but You Can’t Read It! Fish Kanji Quiz (21–30)

How do you read the word “鰯”?

sardine
mackerel
Skipjack tuna

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sardine

“鰯” is read as iwashi, meaning sardine. There’s a theory that because sardines quickly weaken and die when brought ashore, the word yowashi (weak one) became iwashi, and that this is also the origin of the kanji that uses the fish radical with the character for “weak.” There’s also a theory that it became iwashi from iyashii, meaning “base” or “vulgar,” because it wasn’t considered food for aristocrats.

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moko

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How do you read the character “鱚”?

kiss
Atka mackerel
horse mackerel

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kiss

The character 「鱚」 is read as “kisu” (Japanese whiting). There are several theories about the origin of this kanji, but one view is that because the fish often lives near the shore (kishi), the word “kishi” evolved into “kisu.” It’s a fish especially familiar in dishes like tempura and is popular as food.

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moko

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[For Seniors] Looks Readable but You Can’t Read It! Fish Kanji Quiz (31–40)

How do you read “黍魚子”?

thread-sail filefish
banded blue sprat
Halfbeak

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banded blue sprat

“黍魚子” is read as “kibinago.” It can also be written as “吉備女子,” “吉備奈仔,” or “黍女子.” They grow to about 10 centimeters in length, and are characterized by their slender bodies with silver longitudinal stripes. This fish lives and dies by its freshness—once taken out of the water, it’s so delicate that it dies almost immediately.

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moko

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In conclusion

We gave seniors a fish kanji quiz to try—how many did you get right? You might have discovered something new, like how the fish you often eat or used to catch in the sea or river is written in kanji.

Be sure to share the kanji you learned in the quiz with your family and grandchildren next time!