History of Natto and Its Relatives (1405-2012 - SoyInfo Center

Nippon Shokuhin Kogyo Gakkaishi (J. of the Japanese
Society of Food Science and Technology) 38(2):79-85. [7 ref.
Jap; eng]*
Address: 1. Tropical Agriculture Research Center, Ministry
of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan.
1370. Tsukamoto, Joe. 1991. Soybeans in the Yukon
Territory and in Manitoba, Canada (Interview). SoyaScan
Notes. March 22. Conducted by William Shurtleff of
Soyfoods Center.
• Summary: Mr. Tsukamoto was the last director of the
Whitehorse Experimental Farm (also called the Agricultural
Research Station at Haines Junction, and Mile 10-19
Research Station (on the Alaska Highway); previously called
Whitehorse Experimental Substation). This organization
no longer exists. He was there for about 13 years, then
he left for Manitoba when the Farm was closed by the
government in about 1967. In about 1983 the Yukon
Territorial Government government had just declared
agriculture an industry, and they wanted to become self
suffi cient in perishable, goods, livestock, etc. So they asked
him if he would come back from Manitoba to take charge
of agricultural work. Since he had other obligations at the
time, he recommended Dick Filteau (from Texas), who had
just retired and who had extensive experience in this fi eld.
Filteau was hired by the Yukon Territorial Government as
an advisor on a contract basis; he arrived there in 1983.
Using daylength-insensitive soybean varieties provided by
Joe, Filteau conducted soybean variety trials at 4-6 locations
in the Yukon Territory for 2-3 years to see if they could be
used as a protein supplement in livestock feeds. A summary
of the results was tabulated and is probably available from
the Director, Department of Agriculture, Yukon Territorial
Government, in Whitehorse. Some of the plants grew well,
especially in areas like Dawson City away from the ice
sheets; near the ice sheets frost was the major problem. He
thinks that soybeans are not presently being grown now in
the Yukon Territory.
Joe doubts that soybeans have ever been tested by
a government organization in the Northwest Territories;
agriculture may not be declared an industry there.
Concerning soybeans in Manitoba, he was director of
the soybean program in that province. The fi rst daylengthsensitive
varieties (Altona, and Portage) were tested in
Manitoba in about 1961. These were developed by the
pioneer, Dr. Baldur Stefansson, who also started the canola
program and became world renowned in the latter fi eld.
The fi rst daylength-insensitive varieties, Maple Presto and
Maple Ridge, were also developed under this program,
and introduced in about 1982 and 1985 respectively. They
originated from Finnish varieties [sic, actually Swedish
varieties from Dr. Sven Holmberg, especially Fiskeby V,
according to Dr. Harvey Voldeng], probably developed by
Dr. Harvey Voldeng at Ottawa. He is “the” federal soybean
© Copyright Soyinfo Center 2012
HISTORY OF NATTO AND ITS RELATIVES 424
breeder in Canada.
The difference between daylength-sensitive and
insensitive is that if you plant the insensitive one early in the
spring, it will fl ower early, whereas the insensitive one, no
matter when you plant it, will fl ower at a certain time of year
(determined by the balance of light and dark hours).
In the early 1980s a peak of roughly 16,000 acres
of soybeans were grown in south-central Manitoba. The
government promoted the crop, then canola was given a
premium price and soybean acreage began to decline. Today
about 1,000 acres of daylength-insensitive soybean varieties
are still grown in Manitoba, mostly for seed that is sold to
North Dakota and Minnesota. The seed of these daylengthinsensitive
varieties is superior to the Maturity Group 0 or I
varieties grown in the United States.
Joe was formerly an agronomist with the Manitoba
Department of Agriculture, Brandon, Manitoba. His mandate
was to investigate alternative crops. He retired about 1 month
ago. Prior to that he worked for many years to develop
about 6 lines of small-seeded natto varieties for export to
Japan. He worked with a Japanese merchant and the Japan
Natto Association. They are now being tested in Japan for
commercial acceptance. Address: 32 19th St., Brandon,
MAN, R7B 1K2, Canada. Phone: 204-727-5243.
1371. Toyo Shinpo (Soyfoods News).1991. Tataki nattô,
yakumi-tsuki. Ichi ninmae 8 mon nari [Pounded natto, with
seasonings. One serving costs 8 mon: Ancient natto history].
April 11. p. 4. [2 ref. Jap]
• Summary: Two old illustrations of natto sellers are
reproduced. One, by Shigemasa KITAO, appeared originally
in the book titled Rakugo Shôfurin (A Treasury of Witty
Stories) published in about 1830-1844. The name of the
author is not given. The other, by Morisada Kitagawa,
appeared originally in the book titled Morisada Manko (Mr.
Morisada’s Book of Comical Illustrations Without Particular
Thoughts), published in about 1848-1854.
1372. Wilcox, J.R. 1991. Soia: le varietà per l’alimentazione
umana [Soya: The best varieties for making human foods].
Giornale della Soia (Il) (Italy) 7(3):11-12, 14-15. May. [19
ref. Ita]
• Summary: Discusses the best soybean varieties for use
in making tofu, natto, soy oil, and soy protein concentrates
and isolates. Gives details on qualitative factors in soybeans
that improve food quality. Address: Purdue Univ., Lafayette,
Indiana.
1373. Rossant, Colette. 1991. Food: The sound of soba. No
chewing please. The correct way to eat soba is to ‘froosh,’ or
slurp, the noodles up with a sustained intake of breath. New
York Times. June 23. p. SM39-SM40.
• Summary: Colette fi rst tasted “soba, a nutty-tasting
buckwheat noodle, in Tokyo.” It was freshly made, and