The Japanese Black (Japanese: 黒毛和種, Kuroge Washu) is a Japanese breed of beef cattle. It is one of six native Japanese cattle breeds, [4] and one of the four Japanese breeds known as wagyū, the others being the Japanese Brown, the Japanese Polled and the Japanese Shorthorn.

The rich marbling that is considered a characteristic of Wagyu is actually a feature of the Japanese Black breed, and not of the other three breeds. This is often misunderstood because the Japanese Black currently accounts for 97% of all Wagyu raised in Japan. [7]

Jan 22, 2025 · Farmers predominantly raise Kuroge Wagyu, or Japanese black beef, which symbolizes exceptional quality and flavor. This breed comprises the majority of Wagyu cattle in Japan, featuring stunning marbling that resembles intricate patterns.

Typically, authentic Japanese Wagyu is made from the highly revered Kuroge-washu (Japanese Black) cow with a pure bloodline, but it is not uncommon for the DNA to be mixed with other breeds to produce unique results.

Wagyu (pronounced ‘wag-you’) is a breed of cattle native and unique in their genetics to Japan. The beef is highly marbled, tender and has a unquie flavour.

In Japan there are four breeds that are considered Wagyu and those are the Japanese Black (the predominant Wagyu exported to the U.S), Japanese Brown (In the U.S. referred to as Red Wagyu), Japanese Polled and Japanese Shorthorn. There are no Japanese Polled or Shorthorns being bred outside Japan.

Japanese Black cattle have a medium build, with bulls reaching a shoulder height of 55–59 inches (140–150 cm) and females 49–55 inches (125–140 cm). Lifespan. These cattle have a long lifespan of around 15 to 20 years. Yet, only a small number reach old age due to their primary role in beef production.

Sep 4, 2018 · There are four breeds of Japanese cattle that can be called Wagyu, but the Kuroge-washu breed, or Japanese Black, stands apart for its genetic predisposition to create finely grained marbling. The Kuroge-washu breed comprises 90% of cattle in Japan.

Within the Black Wagyu breed, there are three primary strains of cattle, Tajima, Shimane, and Kedaka, each with its own unique characteristics. These entirely black cattle are the most popular breed of Wagyu. They are raised throughout Japan, …

Apr 13, 2021 · Japanese Black (Kuroge Washu) Japanese Black is the most common Wagyu cattle breed, accounting for about 90% of all fattened cattle in Japan. It comes from a wide range of areas throughout Japan, while the other three are produced in specific regions.