noun
freshwater clam; basket clam
Refers to small edible freshwater clams of the family Corbiculidae, commonly used in miso soup in Japan.
しじみの味噌汁は二日酔いに効くと言われている。
Freshwater clam miso soup is said to be good for hangovers.
スーパーでしじみを買ってきた。
I bought some freshwater clams at the supermarket.
The origin is uncertain; the word is native Japanese and the kanji 蜆 is a Chinese character adopted for this meaning.