When the fermented fish was taken out to be eaten, only the fish was eaten and the rice was discarded. The strong-tasting narezushi which is made near Lake Biwa resembles the traditional fermented dish. Starting in the Muromachi Period (1336–1573) in Japan, rice vinegar was added to the mixture which accentuated the sourness of the dish and made its life span longer, while allowing the fermentation process to be shortened and eventually abandoned.