Despite its simplicity on the surface, preparing sashimi is not just slicing a fish and putting it on a plate. It is, in fact, a quite delicate operation. Learning the techniques of preparing sashimi properly, so that people can fully enjoy its exquisite flavor, is based on a complete knowledge of fish. Various techniques have been developed in Japan over the years and those techniques then became a part of Japanese cultural tradition. There are various ways to slice raw fish: Each of the following methods is applied to different species of fish. Hirazukuri, usuzukuri, tataki, and arai are some examples of various sashimi preparation methods. Different methods are applied to different kinds of fish in order to safely prepare them and to bring out the naturally exquisite flavors of every fish.