A Urokotori (Japanese: 鱗取 or うろことり, literally: scaler) is a fish scaler is used in the Japanese kitchen to remove the scales from the skin of fishes before cooking. Alternatively it is possible to remove the scales with a knife, but this is more difficult and there is a higher risk of cutting the skin of the fish, especially with small fishes as well as the own hand. Often the fishmonger can scale the fishes for the customers, so this tool may not be needed. The urokotori is pulled across the skin of the fish from the tail to the head repeatedly to remove the scales.