Behind The Name

Shiranui – (不知火; “unknown fire”) is a Japanese term given to the optical or supernatural phenomenon similar to will-o’-the-wisp.

Shiranui are also known as atmospheric ghosts or mysterious fire that appeared in the Yatsushiro and Ariake Sea. They were only seen late at night on calm days at the end of the seventh month of the old lunar calendar. People believed them to be the lanterns of the Dragon God of the Sea, Ryūjin. Sailors that attempted to approach shiranui all reported that the mysterious flames remained just on the horizon no matter how long or far they sailed.

We sometimes laughingly compare our journey to find a Japanese Akita to the sailors quest; always searching while the prize remains out of reach on the horizon. Japanese Akita are still a relatively unknown breed in the United States. It is our mission to promote and preserve the breed through responsible breeding and exhibition. Ultimately, our goal is to make the breed more accessible to responsible owners who share the same passion for Japanese Akita that we do.

We hope that through our dedication and efforts, others will also find their ‘shiranui’.