The Fugu is a type of pufferfish, most notably served as a type of Sashimi.

Fugu is usually served arranged in the shape of a chrysanthemum - the traditional funeral flower of Japan. Why?

Fugu can kill you.

The ovaries, liver, and intestines of the Fugu contain tetrodotoxin. Labeled as an extremely potent poison by the FDA, tetrodotoxin can "produce rapid and violent death"1, which sounds a lot more fun than it probably is. It starts with a slight numbness of the lips, and ends in total paralysis.

Fret not, however. In Shimonoseki (Japan's Fugu Capital), Fugu chefs must apprentice under a master for at least three years, and then pass a multitude of tests. Once they pass, they are eligible for a license.

Fugu chefs in Shimonoseki are strictly supervised. However, if you intend to dine on Fugu elsewhere, beware. Most Fugu deaths have been attributed to amateur preparation. In 1997, of the eight people to die of food poisoning in Japan, six died from Fugu.

1.) Quote taken from the FDA's paper on tetrodotoxin: http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~mow/chap39.html