The ceremonial breaking down of a bluefin tuna is often referred to as an art form.
On Thursday night, the prized fish itself became a work of art.
Newcastle Art Gallery hosted a Gyotaku ceremony where an 80-kilogram bluefin tuna was transformed into a traditional Japanese fish impression by Newcastle artist Indeah Clark.
Gyotaku is the centuries-old Japanese art of creating a direct print from a fish, historically used by fishermen to record their catch.
The art-making event - a first for Newcastle - acted as a cultural and visual centrepiece for the second annual Newcastle Tuna and Seafood Festival. Organiser Taiyo Namba said it was about "bringing together Japanese tradition, seafood, art and Newcastle hospitality".
And on Sunday, about 180 people watched on as Japanese master chef Koji Harada and his team skilfully carved a full bluefin tuna at Nagisa Japanese Restaurant on Newcastle Harbour to officially launch this year's festival.
The ceremony was followed by a powerful taiko drumming performance, a traditional sake-breaking ceremony known as kagami-wari which symbolises prosperity and good fortune, and an eight-course tuna-inspired lunch.
Newcastle mayor Gavin Morris was at Nagisa yesterday, describing the degustation as "an amazing culinary experience".
"I'm so proud of festivals like this that showcase our local incredible chefs and venues and deliver cultural exchange," he told the Newcastle Herald.
"Watching master chef Koji Harada carve up the massive tuna at Nagisa was an experience you would travel to Japan to see.
"Hopefully, in the not-too-distant future, we will be able to fly direct to Japan from Newcastle airport. We have a strengthening relationship with Japan and Ube is Newcastle's sister city.
"In August I am really looking forward to meeting the high-school students visiting from Ube. We will also have increasing numbers of Japanese tertiary students coming here thanks to the Nihon University Newcastle campus."
The Newcastle Tuna and Seafood Festival continues throughout July, creating a tasty citywide seafood trail across more than 40 participating venues and supporting hotels. There will also be special events, dining experiences and festival offers celebrating the city's seafood culture.
Details at newcastletunafest.com.au.
