The Dogs of Junketsu

Individual bios of our Japanese Akitas
Yumi

Yumi

Founding Japanese Akita at Junketsu

Official name: Yumi Go Kobun (b. 7/8/2002)
Other nicknames: YumYum, Yumer, Yumi-chan
Distinguishing fact: Yumi is our first JA and the sweetest and easiest dog anyone could ask for.
Favorite activities: Lately, it’s been walking off leash in our front yard since she’s a bit limited on how far she can go in her old age. But she loves that she can walk off leash!
Favorite foods: Rice, bread, basically, any carb.
Personality: Happy and sweet.
Wins: Yumi won a few AKIHO awards in her earlier days, but we can’t remember the year or what she won…

Kuma

Kuma

Our Rescue Boy and Elderstatesman

Official name: Kuma Go Kobun (7/8/2002 – 7/13/2017)
Other nicknames: Fathead, Squishy, Bear Bear, Kuma Bear, Raisin Eyes
Distinguishing fact: Kuma is littermate to our Yumi; we’re so glad we were able to rescue him.
Favorite activities: Throwing pillows on the ground to show who’s the boss!
Favorite food: Juicy filet mignon, of course.
Personality: Snobby, stubborn and needy.
Wins: Kuma won hearts with his squishy face and gentle nature but he also won Best Veteran at the UKC-JACA Japanese Akita Specialty 2015.

Waka

Waka

First Lady of Persimmons

Official name: Wakakusa Go Shirai (b. 10/30/2007)
Other nicknames: Wakawaka, WakWak
Distinguishing fact: Waka walks only to do her business, and once done, she’s ready to go home. Exercise is not one of her favorite activities. She is stubborn, and she’s a queen!
Favorite activities: Watching TV, gazing at the unripened persimmons on the tree, waiting for one to fall off.
Favorite food: Persimmon, Asian pear, watermelon
Personality: FUNNY! Not pushy at all. She will come over to be petted and say hi and then takes off, then comes back to get petted and leaves again.
Win: Tokuyuu award (highest award given at an AKIHO branch show) at AKIHO LA Show 2012.

Kita

Kita

Happiness Adjustor

Official name: Kitanoumi Go Shirai (b. 1/15/2008)
Other nicknames: Mr. Friendly; Playboy : )
Distinguishing facts: Kita was put into our care as the AKIHO LA club stud dog; he’s an excellent puppysitter.
Favorite activities: Getting beat up by Mikan and Waka.
Favorite food: Currently loves everything, even his kibble, but for many years, he was picky. Now his hormones are under control after being neutered and he is much more open to trying new things.
Personality: Mellow, playful, Kita just likes to chill. He’s one of the most relaxed male Japanese Akitas EVER.
Wins: 1st place Seiken Class, AKIHO LA Show 2012; 2nd place Seiken Class, AKIHO LA Show 2013.

Gobo

Gobo

Mama's Bratty Boy and Head of Security

Official name: Yuusaku Go Shirai (b. 12/3/2009)
Other nicknames: Gobo-bear, Brat
Distinguishing fact: Gobo is very choosy about who he likes and is a total Mama’s Boy.
Favorite activities: Loves car rides and visiting universities to mark his territory. Apologies to students who lean on trees at local campuses.
Favorite food: Likes everything except fruits and veggies!  Loves cheese!
Personality: He acts tough but allows his Shiba-inu sibling to torture him and bugs Yumi to play with him (paws at her and rolls on his back to get her to play).
Wins: 1st place Sohken Class, AKIHO LA Show 2012; 1st place Seiken Class, AKIHO LA Show, 2013 and 2014.

Emi

Emi

Head of Communications

Official name: Emi Go Kamurasansoh (b. 10/17/2010)
Nickname: Eminem, Orange Eminem, Em!
Distinguishing fact: Emi is our most vocal dog and once she starts, she gets everyone else in the pack to join in.
Favorite activities: Wagging her tail for everyone and barking at everything.
Favorite food: She loves everything but due to her allergies, she’s limited to specific foods.
Personality: Vocal! She has opinions on everything and apparently has so much to say. Emi is also a very sweet-natured dog.
Win: 3rd place Wakainu Class, AKIHO LA Show 2012;
3rd place Sohken Class, AKIHO LA Show 2013.

Kaki

Kaki

Director of Canine Resources

Official name: Kaori Go Junketsu (b. 6/16/2013)
Other nicknames: Kooky Kaki, Kaki-chan
Distinguishing fact: Kaki is the daughter of Emi and Gobo and the granddaughter of Waka and Kita!
Favorite activities: Nosework and rally
Favorite food: Kaki, of course! 🙂 (Kaki is persimmon in Japanese).
Personality: Reserved but loves to snuggle and give kisses, but not with everyone. She’s selectively affectionate.
Win: 1st place Wakainu Class, AKIHO LA Show 2014; Best Female in UKC JACA Specialty Show 2014;
1st  place Sohken Class, AKIHO LA Show 2015.

Mikan

Mikan

The Child Prodigy and Office Intern

Official name: Kaedehime Go Aimusou (b. 1/12/2015)
Other nicknames: Mikan the Tangerine Dream, Champ
Distinguishing facts: Mikan finished her UKC Championship just after her first birthday and in only three shows.
Favorite activities: Chasing her tail, nosework, being hyper.
Favorite food: Luckily, everything for now.
Personality: Spunky, high energy, friendly and loves being in the show ring!
Wins: 1st place Wakainu Class, AKIHO LA Show 2016; Best in Show in UKC JACA Speciality Show 2016; 3 Best of Breed prizes at other UKC shows in 2016.

Goya

Goya

New Kid on the Block

Official name: Gouya-Go (b. 07/08/2016)
Other nicknames: Goya Bear, Goya Wolf.
Distinguishing fact: Goya has been on a plane, been to a Dodgers minor league game, been to the racehorse track and been in a show ring.
Favorite activities: Going to daycare, meeting new people, playing and sleeping! And chewing on stuff he should not be chewing on.
Favorite food: Enjoys everything. He’s even tried to eat a bed frame and a chair.
Personality: Our little guy is playful, exuberant and very sweet.
Wins: 1st Place Yoken Class Male at the 44th AKIHO North America Branch Show 2017; Best Male Puppy Japanese Akita at the 2017 JACA UKC Nihonken Invitational.