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Kishu in Popular Culture The works of manga artist Yoshihiro Takahashi feature many Kishu, characterizing them as skilled fighters. * Akame of Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin * Kyoushiro of Ginga Legend Weed. Also Sakura, the main character's mother, was a Kishu mix. This makes Weed, the main character, a Kishu/Akita mix his father Gin was an Akita. * Gamu, Kusakage, Shiba, Tsuchigumo, Oboro, and Honou, the Ganin warriors of Kacchu no Senshi Gamu

The Kishu stands 17-22 inches tall, averages 30-60 pounds and is considered a medium sized dog. The coat color is generally white. There are still occasional brindle or red Kishus in Japan, but the preferred coat color, and the only one seen in show dogs, is white. The nose color is primarily black, but with the white coat the nose can be brownish or pink in color. The bite is either scissor or a level bite. The tail is curled over the back like that of an Akita or Shiba Inu. The coat is short, straight, and coarse with a thick undercoat. There is fringe on the cheeks and tail. The ears incline forward and are smaller rather than larger. This breed is tough, agile, and friendly.

The Kishu is a Foundation Stock breed with the American Kennel Club. The American Kishu Registry is the official Kishu registry in the United States and is recognized as such by AKC. Other registries include Japan Kennel Club (JKC) and Nihonken Hozonkai (Nippo), both in Japan. The Kishu is recognized as a natural monument of Japan, thus export of the Kishu from Japan is severely restricted. Since this breed is so rare in North America and Europe, you may only get a chance to see him in his native homeland, Japan. There are only two known breeders outside of Japan -- one in Texas and one in the Netherlands.