| O-SHAMO = Classification: Malayoid
Background information:
The large Shamo is officially known as O-Shamo.
This breed is actually a youngster in the collection of Asian gamefowl breeds
only excisting onwards the 16th century. The breeds name is a derivation
of the Japanese expression of the word "Sham" meaning "Siam
(Thailand)". This clearly points out the origin or better said the
ancestors of the breed.
In the beginning of the 16th century the Japanese
ruler Ieyashu Tokugawa allowed Japanese merchants and seafarers to start
up trade with countries throughout Asia. These socalled "red seal"
ships named after the trade permission issued by the ruler himself sailed
to India, Vietnam, China, Siam, Philippines, Indonesia, Burma, etcetra.
From everywhere new and interesting material was imported into Japan. Also
a range of gamefowl. These birds were crossed with eachother or with local
breeds (only small & middleweight Bankivoid fowl excisted at that time
!). A whole new range of gamefowl was developed. Through time only the most
succesful survived and were bred to more or less uniform standard.
The most reputed Japanese bird, also outside Japan
is the O-Shamo. Features: triple pea or walnutcomb, pearlish eyes, strong
broad beak, the wings are carried a bit off the body the wing joints clearly
pointing up, thighs are strong muscled and clearly visible. Prominent shoulders
with short strong wings pointing downwards. Bare red skin should show at
point of wing and at keel (breastbone)
(The tail line should be dropping the angle
as the line of the back. Concerning the transition between the back and
the tail an angle of about 15 degrees is accepted.*** This
is not in all translated texts on Shamo from Japan. It should be "below
horiztonal".)
Even though a triple peacomb is desired in Japan,
a walnut comb is also accepted, being an inherited feature of its Malayoid
ancestors. The shanks are yellow or yellow with black spots as in the blacks.
In Europe also willow-green shanks are seen but according to information
this colour is not accepted in Japan.
Due to various climatical conditions in Japan a
slight difference in weight and size is possible. Weight: male 12.3 Lbs
(5.6 Kgs), female 10.7 Lbs (4.8 Kgs) according Mr.Yoshihisa Kubota (Secretary
of the Japan Poultry Society).
In Europe O-Shamo cocks must have a minimum weight
of 8.8 Lbs (4 Kgs), the hens 6.6 Lbs (3 Kgs).
A lot of breeders refer to names as "Koyama
Shamo, Suzuki Shamo, Makino Shamo, Teramoto Shamo", etcetera. These
are not to be seen as different types but are simply names of reputed Shamo
breeders (strains). According Japanese sources there are only O-Shamo and
Chu-Shamo (middleweight Shamo).
The O-Shamo is fought in Japan only in naked heels
or blunted spurs but never with steel or artificial spurs. However in some
parts of the world the Shamo is fought in steel. The O-Shamo is a well balanced
breed combining size, weight, speed, power, stamina and endurance.
Source:ASIAN GAMEFOWL SOCIETY re> Mr.Yoshihisa
Kubota (Secretary of the Japan Poultry Society) and Julia Keeling (Isle
of Man) |
