Lineage of Some Current Studs (Part I)

by Nobi Atsumi 

 

When “A Journey Beyond Shiba” was published, some readers requested further in-depth pedigree study of current studs in Japan. In this article the lineage of current Gen line and Korotama (Ichisuke) line studs shall be traced all the way to “Naka Go” (see photo). Some famous studs along the line of over fifteen generations shall be discussed and lineal descendants will be traced one by one to the studs now in active service. In this Part I of the article, the pedigrees of Joubeniryu, Makuhari Nishimuraso (see photo), and Toyonishiki, Toyohashi Onoda (see photo), two of the well known Ichisuke line studs shall be studied. Pedigrees of Gen line studs, Kouryu, Shimakazeso and Kurokinju, Hamamatsu Shunjuuso shall be studied in Part II.

I understand that several off spring of Toyonishiki have recently been imported into the United States. I expect that some of them will have an impact in the US shiba world sooner or later. Toyonishiki was one of the oldest dogs entered in this year’s Nippo Grand National and in spite of his ten ripe years of age he placed fourth in a very competitive Seiken Sect. A Class. He has won 5^th place Souken Class in the past G. National, but this year he proved that he is still young (?) and active.  Joubeniryu is still a relatively young stud and I don’t think there is any off spring in the United States yet. Joubeniryu was the 1^st place winner of Seiken Sect. C Class at the Nippo Grand National Show last year and he won 1^st place Seiken Sect. B Class and the Best Opposite Sex (Jun Saikoushou) this year.

What I have been calling Ichisuke line is better known in Japan as Korotama line because the dam of Ichisuke, Michihime, is a daughter of Korotama Go. Korotama is from a line of shibas out of Shikoku Island and he made a great impact on main stream shibas from Shinshu as a very compatible out cross. Deep set strong expression of eyes and bright red coat color are some of the characteristics of this line and Ichisuke (see photo) carried on these characteristics from his mother.

Since Naka Go, it has taken ten generations to produce Ichisuke. Ichisuke’s grand sire is Ichi-ou (see photo) and this stud represents a winning line of shibas out of Koronaka. Koronaka, a black and tan stud, is a G.G.Grandson of Naka Go and has produced four Prime Minister’s Award winners including Koro-ou, a grand sire of Ichi-ou.

The lineage from Naka Go to Ichisuke goes as follows.

NAKA GO – Nakaichi – Koroichi - Koro Ichi – Koronaka – Koroou – Momoichi – Ichiou – Ichioumaru - ICHISUKE.

Ichisuke bred two well-known studs, Hachisuke and Kiyoichi (see photo). From Hachisuke came Jouji, Fussaen (see photo).  Jouji won 1^st place Seiken Class twice at the G. National Shows and produced many well-known studs. Beniryu, Yamanashi Andouso is by far the most famous son of Jouji. Joubeniryu is from a line out of brother of Beniryu by the name of Jouichi. I think it is time for this bloodline to be called Beniryu/Jouji line to recognize its recent accomplishments of off spring in various local shows and the Grand National Shows. In the United States, Ms. Laura Perkinson imported the Beniryu/Jouji line shibas and her accomplishments with their off spring are well known to many.

From Kiyoichi, another son of Ichisuke, came Takeichi (see photo) and on to Tenryu Ichi, than came Takiryu (see photo). Takiryu is a famous stud producing such well known dogs as Seto no Takimaru, Seto no Daisuke and Takimitsu. Toyonishiki is from a line out of Takimitsu. Kotobuki no Tetsu, whom some American fanciers may be familiar with, is a son of Seto no Daisuke. Incidentally, a daughter of Tenryu Ichi, Ten-ichihime, is the dam of Beniryu making this breeding a very skillful throw back line breeding between two separate lines of Ichisuke.

Toyonishiki is eight generations removed from Ichisuke while Joubeniryu is six generations removed. The lineage from Ichisuke to Toyonishiki and Ichisuke to Joubeniryu goes as follows.

ICHISUKE – Kiyoichi – Takeichi – Tenryu Ichi – Takiryu – Takimitsu – Fukuryu – TOYONISHIKI

ICHISUKE – Hachisuke – Jouji – Jouichi – Azuma no Jou – JOUBENIRYU

The influence of parentage on a dog beyond fourth generation may be negligible. However, I believe the breeders of the dogs mentioned above have consciously used inbreeding and line-breeding techniques to maintain the characteristics which is considered superior in this bloodline. For this reason I think the study of the lineage of bloodline is relevant and such knowledge may be useful in the planning of future breeding program.  Ichisuke line, as with all the other bloodlines, has its own short falls. I believe there are rooms to be improved on front and rear structures in this bloodline. Dentition is also a problem with some closely line bred off spring.

PEDIGREE of TOYONISHIKI, Toyohashi Onoda, Nippo 2-34915, D.O.B. Sep. 18, ‘90

 

                           G.G.Sire: Takiryu, Shinshu Takeiso

                  G.Sire: Takimitsu, Noto Sekidoso

                           G.G.Dam: Kosode, Kaga Sekidoso

Sire: Fukuryu, Enshu Kinryuso

Nippo 60-39238              G.G.Sire: Benimidori, Enshu Miyamaso

                  G.Dam: Fukuhime, Enshu Kinryuso

                           G.G.Dam: Fukume, Bushu Koujinso

 

                           G.G.Sire: Shinshu Benimidori, Suzuranso

                  G.Sire: Shinshu Terumidori, Suzuranso

                           G.G.Dam: Suzumidori, Suzuranso

Dam: Hama no Toyohime, Toyohashi Onoda

Nippo 62-44838              G.G.Sire: Gakuryu, Muji Yamadaso

                  G.Dam: Benihime, Toyohashi Onoda

                           G.G.Dam: Benisuzuhime, Tetsuzanso

 The pedigree of Toyonishiki shows that he is not closely line bred to his paternal bloodline and his relation to Ichisuke is not very thick. In my opinion, however, he has retained many of the superior characteristics of this bloodline. Toyonishiki has done well as a stud and bred such well-known dogs as Daikokunishiki and Nishikimaru. There are many grandsons and granddaughters of Toyonishiki now in the show circuit in Japan. His grandson Kouryu, Hayakawa Kiryuso (see photo) is a very active stud in Kanto area (near Tokyo), producing many winners. Haguro no Waka Arashi (see photo) owned by Ms Debbie Meador is a grandson of Kouryu. I heard that he has completed a championship in the States. Another grandson Kouryu, Haguro no Katsuryu (see photo) is a European champion.  Toyonishiki’s brother Fukutama is a grand sire of Suzutaka, Unkyu Tokachiso (see photo), a very strong and handsome dog owned by Mr. Konagaya of Yokohama Konagaya. I understand that Ms. Leslie Engen imported a son of Suzutaka and I expect that he will contribute to improving shiba gene pool in the United States. Perhaps this line has established itself enough to be called Fukuryu/Toyonishiki line.

PEDIGREE of JOUBENIRYU, Makuhari Nishimuraso, Nippo 9-10082,

D.O.B. Mar. 17, ‘97,

                     G.G. Sire: Jouji, Fussaen

              G. Sire: Jouichi, Tokyo Akatsukiso

                     G.G. Dam: Narukome, Tokyo Akatsukiso

Sire: Azuma no Jou, Narashino Hosogaiso

Nippo 5-8915          G.G. Sire: Matsuryu, Fudougataki Kensha

              G. Dam: Azuma no Matsuko, Narashino Hosogaiso

                     G.G. Dam: Azuma no Koharu, Narashino Hosogaiso

 

                     G.G. Sire: Beniryu, Yamanashi Andouso

              G. Sire: Takemaru, Tokyo Akatsukiso

                     G.G. Dam: Yuuko, Tokyo Tsutsumiso

Dam: Benikoharu, Makuhari Nishimuraso

Nippo 7-2696          G.G. Sire: Fujiryu, Hanamikawa Kensha

              G. Dam: Satsuki, Hanamikawaso

                     G.G. Dam: Chiyofukume, Hanamikawa Kensha

The pedigree indicates a careful mix of line breeding of Ichisuke line and an introduction of out-cross from Gen line. Closely line bred Beniryu/Jouji line stud, Jouichi, was out crossed with a daughter of Matsuryu, who is a son of Tetsugen, producing a Grand National and Prime Minister’s Award winner Azuma no Jou (see photo). Azuma no Jou was bred back to grand daughter of Beniryu to produce Joubeniryu. This father and son pair has carried on the Grand National winning tradition this year by a big win of the Best Opposite Sex by Joubeniryu as I mentioned earlier.   I wish to add that one of the current studs direct from Beniryu is Tetsu Arashi, Honjo Arakiso (see photo). He won 1^st place Souken, Sect. A Calss, at the G. National last year. The lineage of Tetsu Arashi is as follows.

ICHISUKE – Hachisuke – Jouji – Beniryu – Beni Ichi – Ichi Tetsu – TETSU ARASHI

I fell in love with this young stud and have two of his daughters in my kennel. I hope to carry on this valuable bloodline nurtured by generations of breeders trying to maintain the superior characteristics of Ichisuke line.

In the next article, I will try to elaborate on current Gen line studs.