Itoshigenami

Itoshigenami, tag TF148 (FB3682), is arguably the single most important Tajima marbling sire ever to leave Japan. He was among the black Wagyu bulls bred by Mr Shogo Takeda of Takeda Farm and exported to the USA in the 1990s; the 'TF' prefix marks Takeda Farm animals. After US quarantine the Takeda herd dispersed to Australia and Canada, and Dr Simon Coates (Sumo Wagyu) acquired the Australian portion, making TF148 a cornerstone of the industry. Sired by Shigeshigenami (a double cross of Shigekanenami, deeply inbred in the Kumanami strain) out of Fukuyuke, he is roughly 75% Tajima with some Shimane and Kedaka, and his pedigree carries the famous snowflake marbling of the Shigekanenami/Kumanami family. His progeny average an exceptional 8.6 out of 9 on the Australian marbling scale, and the Australian Wagyu industry ranks him its #1 marbling foundation sire; producer David Blackmore rates him among the top three bulls ever exported from Japan. With about 6,220 Australian-registered progeny, the most of any foundation sire, his fine dense marbling underpins countless modern pedigrees and standout sons such as Mayura Itoshigenami Jnr and Sumo Itoshigenami C0158. He tests SCD VV and is an F11 carrier. TF148 was bred by double-crossing Shigekanenami on both the sire and dam side specifically to enhance marbling, one of three historic Tajima strains (Okudoi, Nakadoi, Nami) with Shigekanenami a typical Nami-strain bull. Australian fullblood carcass data recorded there: average carcass weight 970 lbs, average marbling score 8.6/9. Sold at $60/straw.