HADATE RAW UNI
FROM HOKKAIDO JAPAN
HADATE RAW UNI
FROM HOKKAIDO JAPAN
HADATE RAW UNI
FROM HOKKAIDO JAPAN
Hadate Suisan specializes in
Kita Murasaki uni,
the highest grade of Japanese sea urchin.
Hadate uni is offered in wooden boxes,
each packaged individually
by a master artisan
using a proprietary technique passed down through generations.
Akatsuki Uni
Celebrating the New Year
The Akatsuki Uni is the highest grade of raw sea urchin, making up only 1 percent of Hadate
Suisan’s yearly catch. Hadate celebrates each new year with a special collaborative
offering, presenting this prized jewel of the ocean in exquisite tamatebako lacquerware boxes decorated with the year’s East Asian
zodiac sign. Hand-packaged by uni artisan Sakiko Hadate, these boxes represent the pinnacle
of flavor and presentation.
New Year’s Zodiac Tamatebako:
Horse, 2026
The zodiac sign “Horse” is depicted in maki-e based on an original artwork specially
created by the artist Nao Morigo.
The horse’s mane and tail, flowing in the wind, are accented with metal leaf to evoke a
powerful sense of vitality. In the surrounding negative space, the rising verdigris
tones—characteristic of Nao Morigo’s work—are organically rendered through the depth and
luster of lacquer, expressing a subconscious awareness.
Contributing Artisans
Lacquerware: Shitsurindo
The wooden tamatebako boxes were crafted by the lacquer artisans of the Shitsurindo
workshop, purveyors to Daihonzan Eiheiji, one of the two head temples of the Soto school
of Zen Buddhism.
Made to order using finger-jointing techniques, these masterful pieces are finished with
a coating of black urushi lacquer applied by brush and left unpolished, producing a
luscious, glossy appearance accentuated with gold leaf details.
Artwork: Nao Morigo, Artist
The artwork that adorns the lacquerware was created by the internationally active artist
Nao Morigo. Inspired by the zodiac sign “Horse”, it embodies prayers and hopes for the
New Year.
Metalwork: Takahisa Yoshikawa, Otaka Ltd.
Metalwork: Takahisa Yoshikawa, Otaka Ltd. The metal fittings of the tamatebako were
crafted by metalwork manufacturer Otaka Ltd. and finished with gold leaf.
Furoshiki: Yamada Sen-I Co. Ltd
The tamatebako come wrapped in a furoshiki cloth created by Yamada Sen-I, a Kyoto-based
company established in 1937. Acrylic paint was used to adorn the corners with the same
horse pattern as on the box, as well as the Hadate family crest and logo.
Calligraphy: Fugaku Watanabe
The handwriting on the Shitsurindo-made paulownia plaque that comes with each box is the
work of calligrapher Fugaku Watanabe.
Calligraphy & Tanka: Keita Takayanagi
This tanka conveys a prayer that the natural blessing of “Hadate Uni,” delivered at the
first auction of the year, will bring even greater brightness and good fortune as it
reaches everyone’s table.
The wooden tray that holds the sea urchin is crafted with a rare white-lacquer finish,
and the word Hadate on the lid is expressed in mother-of-pearl inlay.
By regarding the tray itself as a vessel—an elegant stage upon which nature’s bounty is
presented—its dignity and presence are elevated.
New Year’s Zodiac Tamatebako:
Snake, 2025
Features a snake in the shape of
the auspicious number “8,”
rising from a sea of clouds and bearing a jewel that represents the uni inside.
Sold at the first seafood auction of the year at Tokyo’s Toyosu Market,
this box shattered the previous record for the most expensive batch of Akatsuki uni.
The Gold box sold for ¥7 million
and the Silver version for ¥4 million.
Contributing Artisans
Lacquerware: Shitsurindo
The wooden tamatebako boxes were crafted by the lacquer artisans of the Shitsurindo
workshop, purveyors to Daihonzan Eiheiji, one of the two head temples of the Soto school
of Zen Buddhism.
Made to order using finger-jointing techniques, these masterful pieces are finished with
a coating of black urushi lacquer applied by brush and left unpolished, producing a
luscious, glossy appearance accentuated with gold leaf details.
Metalwork: Takahisa Yoshikawa,
Otaka Ltd.
The metal fittings of the tamatebako were crafted by
blacksmith Takahisa Yoshikawa and metalwork manufacturer Otaka. On the Gold box, the
fittings and three of the sides were adorned with gold leaf, while the Silver box was
finished using the suminagashi marbling technique used in
the decoration of Japanese swords.
Calligraphy: Fugaku Watanabe
The handwriting on the Shitsurindo-made paulownia plaque that comes with each box is the
work of calligrapher Fugaku Watanabe.
Furoshiki: Yamada Sen-I Co. Ltd
The tamatebako come wrapped in a furoshiki cloth created by Yamada Sen-I, a Kyoto-based company
established in 1937. Acrylic paint was used to adorn the corners with the same snake
pattern as on the box, as well as the Hadate family crest and logo.
Poetry: Keita Takayanagi
The inside of the lid features a New Year-themed tanka verse
that evokes the first sunrise of the year to express how people work with the utmost
care to supply a celebratory feast with the finest uni, the bounty of the ocean.
New Year’s Zodiac Tamatebako:
Dragon, 2024
A majestic dragon encircles the box,
holding in its claws a jewel representing
the uni inside.
This box was sold for ¥1.5 million,
a record at the time.
The second highest bid was ¥850,000.
