Kazunoko (herring eggs)

is a symbol for fertility in that it is eggs, and also in that the name of the dish itself, 'kazunoko' literally means 'many children'.

Kazunoko, or herring roe, also uses easy Japanese wordplay. 'Kazu' means numbers and 'ko' means children. So, kazunoko symbolizes being blessed with many children.

is a symbol for fertility also because herring in Japanese is 'nishin' which is a homonym for 'two parents'

Another reason this particular type of fish is used, interestingly, is that herring is called 'nishin' in Japanese, but'if written with different kanji, it becomes '__' ('ni shin'), meaning two parents.

kazunoko (herring eggs), n.All

kazunoko (herring eggs)