Have you seen this video guide (Google video - 8 min) to sushi from the Japan Culture Lab? The filmmakers provide an alternative explanation for shiomori.

Salt is also one of the pure items according to Shinto, so a lot of establishments have some stashed away somewhere as a blessing. People leave salt as offerings at Shinto shrines, too.

Google's video guide to sushi was fun. And quite believable, too!

yes, that is great.

I have a question on a completely unrelated topic. I cannot find the word 'felge' in any of my dictionaries. I was looking for its origin -- or even a good definition. It's a gymnastics term. It refers to a move on the still rings that is like a slow rotation with the body below the level of the rings. Any ideas?

EA

I had never heard of it, but googling around it appears to be a German word Felge '(wheel) rim,' which is related to English felly. Does that help?

yes, the German Felge does seem a likely relative for the term for this wheel-like movement. Thanks. Terms for athletic and dance movements often have this interesting mimetic quality, like the french terms for ballet movements. And the term 'chandelle' which is a move executed by stunt pilots.