The history of sushi began with rice, vinegar, salt and fish that was wrapped in cooked rice as a form of preservation for long periods, at a time when there were no refrigerators.
The first forms of this dish, now known as “narezushi”, were created in Japan around the Yayoi period (Neolithic period – Iron Age). During the Muromacho period (1336-1573), people also began to eat rice together with fish. Later, during the Edo period (1603-1867), vinegar began to be used instead of fermented rice and since then, “sushi” has become a dish strongly associated with Japanese culture.
The inventor of modern sushi is thought to be Hanaya Yohei, who invented “nigirizushi”, a form of sushi known colloquially as “nigiri” or “niguiri”, in which a slice of rolled fish is placed on a “ball” of rice molded by hand.
