What is the Origin of Sushi? 12

Early Sushi sounds horrific. I'm glad they improved upon that idea no doubt. It was a bit of a raw deal.

The sushi smelled so bad to such a degree that it could not be endured within the distance of 20 paces.

Fun fact: in Sweden they still eat the original recipe. But without rice.

Erm. In the Philippines, we still eat that fermented rice with fish and it's actually widely liked. It's called BURO (or burong kanin, buro or binuro means fermenting/pickling) Yes, you read it right- not only the fish in it, but also the rice! We eat it together with bland steamed, boiled or fried vegetables and freshly cooked rice. Uuummm yummeeeeh.

"Sushi came into existence around 900 AD in Japan"

Vikings eating raw salmon in 793 after raiding a Scottish monestary: Sad hingå dingå dürgen noises

The original sushi you were describing in the beginning is still made in Japan but is more rare to find. It is called funazushi and if somebody offers you to come eat it, you have to. (It's somewhat sacred)

I am from the very prefecture where still makes Funa-zushi (鮒寿司 the first preserved fish in fermented rice mentioned here). My grandmother used to buy a barrel every year to give some to each family members. You scrape the rice to discard (though my late Grandpa liked to eat some), slice the fish. The smelly part is true, it is a part of it. You grow with it, you get to use to it. Many Japanese don't like it, the smell and the taste, but some who had never had it till later in their lives, like my American husband, come to love it. Nowadays Funa-zushi has become very expensive. I miss it (Especially its eggs).

I've heard that early sushi was comparable to surströmming, which makes sense since both involve light pickling and fermentation. (Surströmming is even Swedish for "sour (fresh water) herring", so the naming checks out.)

The 8th century is the 700s not 900s.

8th century or 900 AD?

am i japanese? yes. do i know where sushi comes from? yes. did i still read this? absolutely