Tuesday, November 27, 2012

www.shikoku-pedigree.com/



I'd like to congratulate everyone who was involved in getting the www.shikoku-pedigree.com/ database up and running. 


We have a database here in Japan, in fact it's at NIPPO HQ, only it's on paper which makes it impossible for anyone overseas to look at. Any NIPPO member can ask to look at any dog's pedigree, and NIPPO will make it available for a nominal paperwork fee. Computerizing the data and making it available free of charge to breeders is useful not only in breeding today, but in deciding which dogs to import tomorrow.


Positive dissemination of information. I'm all for it, and I heartily recommend that anyone with a Shikoku takes the time to enter their information into the database.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

NIPPO National 2012

The 17th/18th I made the trip to Tochigi for the NIPPO (Nihon Ken Hozonkai) National Exhibition. The weather the first day was grey, cold and overcast, the second, sunny, cold and windy. Luckily the rain forecast for the first day held off till after dark.


The opening ceremony at 9:00am.

   

The first day is traditionally for the medium sized breeds. Since there are generally next to no Hokkaido, Kai, or Akita at NIPPO shows, this day is for the Shikoku and Kishu. We had 97 Kishu entries, 89 Shikoku, and 9 Kai.

 Shiba entries for the second day totalled 562.


The winner of the Prime Minister's Award (Best in show), a Shikoku male named Iyo no Gakushun. There was a bit of drama at the end of the second day when the best in breeds went up against each other. Gakushun's handler collapsed in the ring and had to be taken away on a stretcher. After a short pause, the judges went on to award Gakushun the Prime Minister's award.

The Shiba best in show was a male named Daigorozakura.


I went on to visit my good friends at Sai no Kuni Inoue So, a Kai kennel, on the way home. I was treated to their always amazing sushi, and got to look at some of their new dogs.

It was a busy, but definitely exciting and eventful weekend, with people from all over Japan, and overseas, in attendance.  I showed a female in the 'waka 1' class for one of my friends, and though we did pretty poorly as far as substance goes, the bitch is excellent, and we placed 5th. 2 of her siblings were also in the ring, with one of them taking 1st place. She was shown by a friend and fellow NIPPO Chiba branch member.

We had some other successful placings out of the Chiba branch, and some disappointments, but I think we managed to drink enough to melt the weekend into its proper place.

I had the pleasure this year of meeting the members of the Norwegian Shiba Club, some of whom were attending the NIPPO national for the fourth time! I have an immense amount of respect for their efforts in making such a long trip to learn and see the Nihon Ken in its native country. Their respect for Japanese culture and the NIPPO members who have spent life times preserving and protecting these breeds was evident to all, and it was a true joy to help translate for them. My good friends from the Shikoku kennel AKASHIMA, Katja & George, attended the exhibition as well, and afterward went on a whirlwind tour visiting many of the best Shikoku kennels in the country. See you all again next year?!


Sunday, November 18, 2012

November 2012


Yes, it's that time of year again. Hunting season opened on the 15th.


The beautiful countryside of Chiba prefecture. Rolling hills.


They've lit up the streets near my house, like they do every year for the Christmas season.


Out with some friends grabbing some excellent food at an izakaya.


Friday, November 16, 2012

NIPPO Gunma Branch Fall 2012

Not too exciting, iffy weather, got there late, took last place in group (haha). Yup. These things happen. I was showing a friend's female, but I just couldn't get her to stack at all. Oh well.

This was the 28th of last month. Been busy.


And I sent this little guy to California.



Available Shikoku Male


This 2 year old male out of Izumo Yano So lines (sire Ungaku, dam Unshunme) is currently available.

He took first place in his group (male waka 1) at the NIPPO national exhibition last year. It's definitely not very often that a dog like this becomes available, but due to his owner's health, the kennel that produced him is looking for a new home for him.

He's the dog pictured here in the photos from last year's NIPPO national, at the top of the page.


Contact me at kato.the.walrus@gmail.com for information regarding this male.