The NYT says Nobu introduced this dish ca. 1995

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag... 6C0A9679C8B63

Another source says he (Nobu Matsuhisa) had previously served it as his
famous tiny place ( Matsuhisa) in LA.

It's certainly considered the restaurant's signature dish. Usually the
one thing you can count on in the omakaze.