In the south of Tochigi prefecture, the people conduct kaibori, a traditional practice of draining ponds and irrigations after the year’s harvest in December to improve the water quality for the following agricultural season, and as a result catch catfish, Japanese crucian carp, common carp and eel. The Among these fish, the Japanese crucian carp is commonly simmered in soy sauce and sugar to serve for the new year celebration, as the fish is considered to bring good fortune.