Modern Itozakura & Fujiyoshi 

Although Fujiyoshi is a modern Okayama bloodline and Itozakura is a modern Shimane bloodline, on-going confusion and a common point of origin means it makes sense to cover them in one section. Even in Japanese journals there are continuing contradictions regarding the ‘bloodline ownership’ of Dai 7 Itozakura strains.

Wagyu Data Table

Modern Itozakura Line

The significance of Dai 7 Itozakura is a highly heritable combination of marbling, growth and maternal influences, and this combination means that the dominant use of Modern Itozakura genetics in Japan is in the development of cow herds. Few bulls in Japanese Wagyu history approach this overall performance.


In terms of growth and marbling, Dai 7 Itozakura indirect progeny tests delivered results of 1.02kg/day and MRB +3.4. This is outstanding performance even today. But further, his dam Dai 9 Itozakura demonstrated strong and proven heritable maternal characteristics over a reproductive life of 13 calves. This has become a major attraction of Dai 7 Itozakura, as his female progeny exhibit this characteristic strongly.

A man with the number 12 on his shirt is standing next to an Itozakura cow

Sires available in Australia with significant Modern Itozakura bloodlines that might be used in maternal development include TF 38 Itohana 2; TF39 Kinto, TF 36 Itomichi 1-2 and TF 147 Itoshigefuji. Takeda Farms literature shows that several of these also include infusion from traditional Shimane bloodlines offering large frame and enhanced maternal capabilities. Westholme’s Itomoritaka delivers Modern Itozakura influence plus additional ‘growth’ Kedaka genetics.


Sires with both Modern Itozakura and superior Tajima influences that might be used in both feeder production and female development include TF148 Itoshigenami and TF 151 Itozurudoi, although semen for the latter sire is no longer for sale.


New generation Takeda Farm sires with similar Itozakura and Shimane infusion, but a greater counterbalance of Tajima, include TF601, 603, 604, 605.

Modern Fujiyoshi Line

The only significant reason that the Fujiyoshi line attracts analyst attention today is because of the debate over the ‘ownership’ of Dai 7 Itozakura genetics beyond the great sire himself. Several Fujiyoshi line sires exhibited good growth and large frames, but were not regarded as outstanding.

Fujiyoshi bloodlines in Australia can be identified with TF MITSUHIKOKURA.

Summary

  • The Modern Itozakura Line (bred from Shimane Prefecture) commences with the joining of Okayama-bred, Fujiyoshi line sire Dai 14 Shigeru in Shimane to a Hyogo-bred Tajima dam, Dai 9 Itozakura, to produce Dai 7 Itozakura.
  • The Modern Fujiyoshi Line (Okayama) continues beyond Dai 14 Shigeru with two other sons of note by Okayama dams, as illustrated here, but Dai 7 Itozakura, with a 50% Tajima infusion, marks the commencement of a new Shimane-based modern line.
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