The first auction for the Tenka Fubu premium persimmon brand, developed in Japan's Gifu Prefecture, took place on November 1 at a wholesale market in Toyoyama, Aichi Prefecture. Two fruits sold for ¥1.11 million, equal to about US$7,350 before tax. The previous record for the brand was ¥1 million for two fruits.
Gifu Prefecture developed the Neo Sweet persimmon variety in 2015. The Tenka Fubu brand name is used only for Neo Sweet persimmons that meet specific quality standards. The name is a homophone of a seal used by warlord Oda Nobunaga in the late 1500s, which read "tenka fubu."
Tenka Fubu persimmons are divided into three classes based on quality. The fruits sold at the auction were in the top class, described as very sweet, with reported sugar levels above 25. By comparison, common fuyu-gaki persimmons have sugar levels around 16.
The auction highlights ongoing interest in premium-grade Japanese fruit and the role of strict classification systems in shaping market value.
Source: The Straits Times
