はつがつお
the first bonito of the season
Also written 初松魚、初ガツオ
Noun
江戸えどっ子こにとって、初鰹はつがつおは借金しゃっきんしても食たべるべきものだった。
For the residents of Edo, the first bonito of the year was something that had to be bought, even if it meant borrowing money.