桜肉

Etymology
Several theories exist:
 * A codeword used in the Edo period, during parts of which meat was banned or considered taboo. was used on its own to substitute the entire name, possibly later developing into the current form with  attached. Pork was also referred to as  and deer as , which appears to accord with this origin.
 * Horse meat purportedly tastes better around the same time that cherry trees blossom (spring); after winter, for which the horse accumulates fat reserves to keep warm, the horse will remain fattened and as a result taste considerably better, becoming associated with the cherry blossoms of the same season.
 * Horse meat resembles cherry blossoms in color.
 * Conflation with, a city close to Edo known for its horse ranches.

Noun

 * 1) horsemeat