When we talk about gold we tend to think about the precious metal, right? But, this word can also mean something extremely expensive, and Japan is a great example of this. In this country, it was found a giant bluefin tuna that was sold in a traditional auction for $3.2 million, a price so high that many call it the “black gold of the sea.” How can a fish be so expensive? What does this New Year’s auction mean? How important is Japanese culture? We are here to answer all these questions, so let’s get started!
A tuna worth millions of dollars
In Japan, there’s a very popular auction every January 1 at the fish market of Toyosu (Tokio). This auction is important because it means the beginning of the year for fishermen, chefs, and seafood businesses. During this event, the first tunas of the year are sold, and the prices may be more expensive than usual.
In this case, a 243-kilogram bluefin tuna was sold for $3.2 million, which is a shocking amount of money. To picture the tuna, thousands of spicy tuna rolls could be prepared with that fish.
The person who bought it was Kiyoshi Kimura, owner of the popular sushi restaurant chain called Sushi Zanmai. He takes part in this auction almost every year and he is known for paying very high prices. The tune came from Oma, a region in northern Japan famous worldwide for producing the highest-quality bluefin tuna.
Why is this tuna so special?
Tuna from Oma are considered the best in the world because of their quality, flavor, and texture. This is why, when there’s one at the first auction of the year, the price increases a lot. So, before buying any fish, experts check different details:
- Color: the meat must be rich and strong.
- Texture: the flesh must appear firm and perfect.
- Fat level (toro): this is the most valuable and flavorful part of the tuna.
To check all of this, professionals look even for cuts in the tail of the fish to see the inside without completely opening it.
In the auction, buyers walk through rows of huge tuna, deciding which one they want before sunrise. It’s almost like a ritual.
Kimura explained that he wanted to pay less, but the price ‘’unexpectedly shot up’’. However, he also said that buying such an expensive tuna at the beginning of the year is, for him, a way to attract good luck and good energy for his business.
The meaning of the auction in Japan
Even though hundreds of tunas are sold daily in Toyosu, this New Year’s auction is special. It’s not about just buying fish, but about keeping a tradition of decades. For many people, having the most expensive tuna of the day is a symbol of prestige and success.
What’s more, Japanese people give a lot of importance to starting the year well and that’s what this event aims for.
Tradition, quality, and passion
This discovery of such high rice is not about nonsense luxury, but about a mix of a few things: Japanese tradition, high-quality fish, respect for fishermen, and the desire to start the year with good luck. All of this makes the first auction of the year have almost a festive atmosphere. And the high prices highlight the pride that Japan has in its fishing culture and the skill of those who catch these incredible fish.
Have you ever heard of a similar event like this auction? It is incredible to see such events highlighting the culture of a country and the effort of its workers.