Tengenton

The pride of Yonezawa, Yamagata — a brand pork that carries the black pig bloodline, raised with a commitment to reduced medication.

Tengenton is a Japanese brand pork (meigara-buta) from Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture, managed by Murakami Chikusan Co., Ltd. Breed / crossbreeding: Camborough (25% black pig).

Tengenton is a brand pork produced by Murakami Chikusan Co., Ltd. in Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture. The brand name is derived from the Tengendai ski resort near the farm, and ‘Tengen’ — the center point of a go board — symbolizes the origin of all things. The breed is a Camborough-based cross with one-quarter black pig bloodline, delivering the firm meat quality and tight texture characteristic of black pig bloodlines.

The greatest focus in production is the thoroughgoing commitment to ‘reduced-medication rearing.’ From 100 days of age onward, the use of medications is avoided for both prevention and treatment, and when medication is unavoidable, only low-residue options are used. By maintaining these strict self-imposed standards, the farm realizes a pork that consumers can eat with confidence. The rearing water is natural well water from the foothills of Mount Azuma, used without disinfection — the clean, high-quality water environment supports the healthy physical development of the pigs.

The feed is a designated plant-based compound using corn, soybean, barley, and wheat in combination, with animal-based ingredients kept to an absolute minimum in the fattening stage to draw out the inherent, clean flavor of pork. Through this careful rearing management, the finished pork delivers a clean, refreshing mouthfeel with a natural sweetness in the fat.

Production is conducted at two locations — Itaya Farm and Sumomoyama Farm — with approximately 18,000 head shipped annually. Available through local specialty meat retailers and restaurants, as well as furusato nozei mail-order. Trademark registered in 2002.

Basic Information

• Name
  Tengenton
• Production Area
  Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture
• Management Body
  Murakami Chikusan Co., Ltd.
• Breed / Crossbreeding
  Camborough (25% black pig)
• Meat Characteristics
  Firm meat unique to the quarter-black-pig, and fat sweetness felt within a light mouthfeel. Little gamey odor, easy to eat
• Feed Characteristics
  Designated compound feed based mainly on grains such as corn, soybean, barley, and wheat. Animal-based ingredients limited in the fattening period to draw out the inherent clean flavor of pork
• Shipping Age
  170 days
• Annual Production
  Approx. 18,000 head/year
• Signature Dish
  N/A
• Certifications
  Trademark registered: November 1, 2002 / Brand regulations established: March 8, 2005 / Reduced-medication production (no medication use from 100 days of age)
• Related URLs
  Murakami Chikusan Co., Ltd. | Tengenton
  Tengenton | Buta Trace Farm Traceability
• Source
  Branded Pork Guidebook 2026, p.49
  Murakami Chikusan Co., Ltd.
  Buta Trace Farm Traceability

Last updated
6/21/2026