is a regional variety of wagyà « (Japanese beef) originating in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The à Âmi in âÂÂà Âmi beefâ refers to à Âmi Province, the traditional name for the area which became Shiga prefecture. à Âmi beef is generally considered one of the three top brands of wagyà «, along with Kobe beef and Matsusaka beef.
à Âmi beef is said to be the oldest beef brand in Japan. In the AzuchiâÂÂMomoyama period, Takayama Ukon, who was associated with à Âmi Province, treated the warlords to beef. In the Edo period, miso-marinated beef was sold and presented to the Tokugawa shogunate as a sustaining medicine by the Hikone Domain. In 1880s, à Âmi beef was sold as "Kobe beef" because it was shipped to Tokyo via Kobe Port. Since the completion of the Tà Âkaidà  Main Line railway between Shiga and Tokyo, the "à Âmi beef" brand has gradually established itself as a brand distinct from Kobe beef.