Mahaze — マハゼ

The Mahaze (マハゼ; Acanthogobius flavimanus) is a common goby found in the estuaries, tidal flats, and rivers of Japan — a small but culturally significant fish associated with Tokyo Bay and the autumn goby-fishing season. Catching mahaze with a hand-held bamboo rod from Tokyo's bridges and waterways was a beloved urban leisure activity in the Edo and Meiji periods, giving the humble fish a nostalgic resonance in Japanese culture. Bakufu's rendering honors the species with the same care he devoted to Japan's most celebrated fish.