Do you know why Japanese people don’t eat mutton? Let me explain it to you next!

Speaking of food from Japan, I believe many people will think of sushi, oden, and sashimi. , Japanese-style fried pork cutlets and other delicacies, and there are many types. But I don’t know if you have noticed one detail, that is, Japanese people don’t seem to eat mutton very much. When it comes to eating meat, the impression that Japanese people give people is probably the most expensive and delicious "Kobe beef" in the world. But when it comes to mutton, I have no impression. In fact, not only do Japan not eat much mutton, they have only eaten pork and beef for about 150 years. Before the Meiji Restoration, Japan actually had a 1,200-year history of "meat ban."

Primitive people who loved meat

During the Jomon Period (15,000-2,300 years ago), Japanese society was still in the early Neolithic Age, and hunting was the main way of survival. It's good enough to fill its stomach, and it's not picky about its prey. According to archaeological excavations, the main meat foods in Japan at that time were elk and wild boar, as well as more than 60 kinds of mammals including bears, monkeys, and foxes. The main method at that time was to eat it raw, and later the method of roasting, roasting, and cooking was introduced. By the Yayoi period (300 BC - 250 AD), farming techniques from the Korean Peninsula were introduced to the islands, and Japan entered an era in which rice was the main food ingredient.

Along with the introduction of iron ox farming and other technologies, animal husbandry technology was introduced. Horses, cattle, sheep and other livestock came to Japan during this period, but the development of animal husbandry was not good. Cattle were raised to plow the fields. , raising horses to act as pack animals, but raising sheep has no specific purpose, so that most Japanese people have never seen a sheep, and even think that among the twelve zodiac signs, sheep and dragons are also virtual animals.

Abandon the old and embrace the new, no meat is allowed

"Meat ban" is closely related to the introduction of Buddhism. Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the mid-6th century. The monks at that time abided by the "Five Precepts", so it became common sense not to eat meat. Japan's original Shintoism also believed that blood is dirty, killing is unclean, and Playthings have the same spirit as all living beings, which is consistent with Buddhist thought. The two laid the ideological foundation for Japan's meat ban.

Emperor Tenmu issued the "Killing Prohibition" in 676, prohibiting the killing of animals and eating meat, thus beginning the era of meat prohibition in Japan for more than 1,200 years. Although the results were not good at the beginning, after Emperor Shomu issued it in 737 and In 743, two edicts were issued to prohibit the killing of animals. Meat basically disappeared from the dining tables of the middle and upper class officials and nobles. Meat-eating was also considered a reckless and cruel behavior, so the raising of meat animals was almost non-existent.

By the late Heian period (806-1185), the samurai class had risen, abandoning the traditional red tape of ministers and nobles, and the ban on "meat-eating" was not so observed. Although there were no livestock to eat, But you can enjoy the delicious food through hunting. But when the samurai class ascended to the throne of rulers, the early brave and bold temperament was gradually penetrated by the exquisite culture of the ministers, and the samurai also learned not to eat meat. By the Muromachi period (1336-1573), meat The class has also basically faded out of the Wu family’s recipes.

Like cows but not goats

The ban on "no meat" has a great impact on Japan's height. According to archaeological data, before the ban on meat, the average height of Japanese adult men was 163cm, but it dropped to 155cm in the Edo period more than a thousand years later. Influenced by European influences, the Meiji authorities believed that Westerners were tall because they ate beef and drank milk, so they abandoned the meat ban and initially encouraged people to eat meat, especially beef. However, the ban on meat for more than 1,200 years has made the Japanese people quite disgusted with the smell of meat. In the end, Emperor Meiji personally tried beef and reported it to the whole country, which changed the people's view of meat. At the same time, the royal family opened up large-scale land for livestock farms and dairy cows. In the market, beef was also designated as the diet of the army. Beef hot pot - Sukiyaki (すき焼き) began to appear on the streets of the city. Kobe beef is still synonymous with top-quality beef.

But lamb has not become as popular as beef.

Although goats and sheep entered Japan very early, the ban on meat has greatly hindered the development of the livestock industry. Moreover, Japan's unfavorable weather and lack of vast pastures make Japan unsuitable for large-scale sheep herding. The strong fishy smell of mutton deterred the Japanese people who had just introduced the meat ban after the Meiji period. Although yokan existed in Japan in ancient times, it soon changed its recipe and mixed red beans and flour into a jelly-like dessert.

Domineering mutton roast - Genghis Khan

There is only one place in Japan where mutton is eaten, and that is Hokkaido. More than half of the tens of thousands of tons of mutton sold in Japan every year are in Hokkaido. There is a local cuisine here called "ジンギスカン", which in Chinese means "Genghis Khan" barbecue, which is grilled lamb in an iron pot. It is said that it was left behind when the Mongols invaded Japan.

Speaking of Hokkaido's "sheep" history, we should also mention Japan's impact and expansion.

The Portuguese first introduced wool fabrics to the Kyushu region of Japan in 1556. It was not until the Meiji period that wool fabrics became popular and became the raw material for military uniforms. Wool also became an important military material. At this time, all wool was imported. The Japanese government was determined to develop its own sheep husbandry industry. In 1872, it opened up the Sapporo sheep farm in Hokkaido. However, it failed due to factors such as climate, customs, and war. The British ban on the free export of Australian wool in 1916 put Japan's wool industry in dire straits. The Japanese authorities decided to try again. In 1918, the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce established a sheep section to launch a one million sheep plan, and Hokkaido began large-scale sheep farming. Finally succeeded.

The wool was provided to the military, but the mutton that could not be sold became a delicacy in Hokkaido. After the war, the demand for wool dropped sharply, and the once glorious Hokkaido sheep farming industry also declined. Due to the lack of a broad public base, mutton's status in Japan is very embarrassing.

Although mutton is not popular in Japan, across the sea in China, it is a delicious and nutritious food, and is deeply loved by Chinese people. To eat good sheep, Shanquan sheep is the first choice. Every Shanquan sheep raised in the Shanquan Sheep Breeding Base follows the healthiest and greenest breeding methods. They eat scientifically proportioned flowers and herbs every day, drink the sweet spring water in the mountains, and breathe freely and refreshingly. It is delicious, healthy and pollution-free, and the meat is tender and not fishy. It is a delicacy on the Chinese table.