noun
chub mackerel; Scomber japonicus
Archaic name for the chub mackerel, now usually called マサバ or simply サバ. May appear in historical or classical contexts.
See also: 鯖
古文書には「青鯖」という魚名が見られる。
The fish name 'aosaba' appears in old documents.
Modern generic term for mackerel; 青鯖 is an archaic specific name for the chub mackerel.
Current standard Japanese name for the chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus), replacing the archaic 青鯖.
Compound of 青 (ao, 'blue') and 鯖 (saba, 'mackerel'), referring to the blue-green coloration of the chub mackerel. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.