Hanami After Dark raised money for disaster relief in Japan by showcasing a Maguro-Kaitai ceremony, the traditional ritual of breaking down an entire 150-pound tuna for sushi. Master sushi chef Toru Oga of Oga’s Japanese Cuisine in Boston performed the rite, which involves custom-designed knives carefully carving the fish so no part is wasted. The menu at the April 1 event also included made-to-order sushi prepared by chefs from Boston, New York, and D.C., plus hors d’oeuvres and wines and spirits, like Japanese sake and Iichiko Shochu.
Hosted by Trade Center Management Associates at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, the event drew the Japanese ambassador to the U.S., Ichiro Fujisaki, who led the 350 guests in a toast. The event continues online through April 27 with an auction of donated artwork from artists from the entertainment industry including animators and illustrators from Disney, DreamWorks, and Nickelodeon.
