Prior to the widespread use of soy sauce, seasonings used in namasu, such as vinegar with ginger, vinegar with mustard and irizake (made by boiling down dried bonito flakes, pickled plum, sake (rice wine), water and tamari (rich soy sauce)) were used.
醤油が普及する以前は、生姜酢や辛子酢、煎り酒（鰹節、梅干、日本酒、水、たまりを合わせて煮詰めたもの）など、なますで用いられる調味料がそのまま用いられた。