Maguro bōchō facts for kids
A maguro bōchō (which means "tuna knife" in Japanese) is a very long, special Japanese knife. It is mainly used to cut up large tuna fish and other big ocean fish. Another name for it is maguro kiri bōchō, meaning "tuna cutter."
This knife has a blade that can be anywhere from 30 centimeters (12 inches) to 150 centimeters (60 inches) long. It also has a long handle. The maguro bōchō can cut a whole tuna in one long slice. Sometimes, two people work together to handle the knife and the fish. The blade is flexible, which means it can bend to follow the shape of the fish's spine. This helps to make sure almost no meat is left on the fish bones.
Where are Maguro Bōchō Used?
These special knives are mostly found at large fish markets in Japan. The biggest one is the Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo. Because they are used so much at these markets, they are sometimes called oroshi-hōchō, which means "wholesale knife."
You won't usually find a maguro bōchō in a regular Japanese kitchen. They are only needed if someone often cuts very large tuna, weighing 200 kilograms (440 pounds) or more! Some very big restaurants might have one if they prepare a lot of fresh tuna.
How Maguro Bōchō are Used
The maguro bōchō is a tool for cutting fish, not a weapon. When two people use the knife together, one person holds the handle. The second person holds the other end of the blade. They wrap a towel around the blade for safety and protection. This way, they can work together to slice through the large fish.
See also
In Spanish: Oroshi hōchō para niños
