As described above, whale meat was used as a gift among busho (Japanese military commanders) in the Sengoku period, was ranked number one of the fishes in a rating of foodstuffs, and was positioned as an item to be used on auspicious occasions, such as the New Year and the ends of seasons.
前述のように、鯨肉は戦国武将の友好のための贈答品とされたり、食材の格付けとして魚の中で最高位にあった事など高い評価を受け、正月や節季など縁起に係わるものとしての地位を有していた。