3-008-345 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Japanese Pigs, 1862. '...some very curious specimens of the porcine tribe which are now in the possession of Mr. Charles Jamrach, of Ratcliff-highway, a well-known importer of wild and rare animals. It is stated that they have qualities which would render their mixture with our native breeds advantageous...Steinmitz...states that, though abundantly stocked with pictures and carvings of dragons and all other sorts of monsters borrowed from the Chinese, the Japanese empire is but sparingly provided with four-footed beasts, wild or tame. The country is too much cultivated and peopled to afford cover to the wild quadrupeds, and the tame are bred only for carriage and agriculture. The use of animal food is interdicted by the national religion, and they have not left pasture enough to support many sheep and oxen. "They have a few swine, which were brought over from China, and which some of the country people near the coast still keep, not, indeed, for their own use, but to sell to certain Chinese junks which are allowed to come over to trade, most of the Chinese mariners being addicted to pork."...The Japanese idea of the bringing up of the pig seems to be akin to that which produces the specimens which we see at the annual cattle show in London'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.