What is "shishamo"

n. (taxlink Spirinchus lanceolatus species noshow=1), a Japanese smelt.

, or Spirinchus lanceolatus, is a saltwater fish ( smelt) about 15 centimeters in length. It is slim and resembles a willow leaf; the Japanese name, shishamo, is derived from the Ainu name for the same fish, susam, which is supposed to be derived from a compound of Ainu susu "willow" + ham "leaf", hence its name in Chinese characters ( jukujikun, where the characters have no phonetic relation to the word). It is generally dark on the back with a silver-white underside.

In Japanese cuisine, this fish is grilled or fried whole and served with its roe intact.

Shishamo (stylised as SHISHAMO) is a Japanese band. Forming in 2010 while at high school in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, the band began releasing music in 2012.