鯛 たい ( Sea bream )

Because the word tai rhymes with "medetai" ( meaning " happy " or " auspicious " ), the fish are served on the occasion of celebrations like weddings and festivals, and are regarded as good luck fish. In addition, from the beauty of their shape and color, they are termed the king of ocean fish. To eat tai in their natural shape is said to bless one with good fortune, so, when preparing them to serve, "the whole fish" ( okashira-tsuki ) is preferred. A method of catching the fish in Japan's coastal waters was developed, and in the Edo Period ( 1603-1867 ) a technique was devised to transport them while still alive.