Kani-i, Ryosei, and Soboku. They are not the ingredients of a Japanese dish, but foundational concepts used to describe the ideal temperament, character – and indeed, essence – of all native Japanese dog breeds, collectively known as Nihon Ken. They include the Akita, Shiba Inu, Kishu Ken, Shikoku Ken, Kai Ken, and Hokkaido Ken.

NIPPO suggests that a correct Japanese dog inherently has and expresses these inborn characteristics.

Kan’i refers to spirited vigor, dignified majesty, and mental fortitude. Some describe this as boldness or bravery;

Ryosei describes faithful devotion, a gentle spirit, kindness, and obedience. Though seemingly the opposite of Kan’i,  Ryosei is equally essential to the breed’s character, and neither can exist without the other.

Soboku is a simple, unpretentious, and natural beauty. An English translation of the Nihonken Hozonkai (NIPPO) Japanese Dog Standard translated and published by É. Ishii describes it as “rustic, sober and unadorned elegance;” Though not an official NIPPO translation and intended only for educational purposes, NIPPO is aware of it and has acknowledged it with thanks.

While we could not find any AKC, UKC or FCI breed standard that explicitly include these Japanese terms, many standards do include language that aptly describe the same traits. Phrases such as “spirited boldness,” “good nature,” and “natural beauty” are found in the Shiba Inu AKC standard, while under the Behaviour/Temperament section of the FCI Shiba Inu standard, the line, “The temperament is faithful, with keenness in sense and high alertness” appears.  The AKC Shikoku standard uses phrases like “marked endurance,” “keen in sense,” and “docile towards his master.”  The AKC currently uses the FCI standard for the Hakkaido Ken which reads, “Dog of noteworthy endurance, showing dignity and naive feeling. The temperament is faithful, docile, very alert and bold. It also shows accurate judgement and great stamina.”

Perusal of various blogs written by Japanese breed owners suggest that the absence of these terms in FCI standards are noted, and they have called for their inclusion to better reflect the Japanese originals. We note, however, that while these terms may not currently appear in AKC standards, many parent clubs include and explain the terms in other contexts. The National Kishu Ken Club explains the words on their website in an explanatory context, and the National Shiba Club of America includes the terms in its hand-out brochure.

While the AKC standard for the Kai Ken does mention Sobou (Head: Expression – Showing sexual dimorphism, and an unadorned, unsophisticated air known as “soboku,” coupled with composed boldness. Sobuku might be further described as straightforward-ness and honesty), the Kai Ken Club of Great Britain provides an entire glossary page to terms found in the NIPPO standard for Japanese breed, and defines and discusses them in relation to the Kai Ken.

The Kai Ken Club of Great Britain provides an entire glossary page to terms found in the NIPPO standard for Japanese breed, and defines and discusses them in relation to the Kai Ken.

And finally, historical and translated Japanese Akita standards reference “kan-i” as a key quality, describing it as “much spirit, great will, strong character, courage and composure,” but breed standards found in the AKC, UKC, or FCI for the Akita Inu use general English descriptors instead the Japanese terms. Instead of Kan’i (spirited boldness, courage, composure), the AKC breed standard describes the Akita as “alert and responsive, dignified and courageous. Instead of Ryosei (good nature, gentle obedience, loyalty), the AKC calls the Akita “profoundly loyal.” Describing the Akita as “calm and composed presence” and “noble, gentle nature when around their family” refers to Soboku (artlessness, natural beauty, simplicity).

There is no pleasing everyone when it comes to breed standards, let alone honoring terms found in the standards in the country of origin. Increasingly, there is effort to shorten and condense the length of AKC breed standards as more breeds are added to the registry. Perhaps the compromise is to do what the National Shiba Club of America and National Kishu Ken Club have done by explaining Kani-i, Ryosei, and Soboku in other educational material.

Image: Because sources suggest that the Kai Ken is the rarest of the NIPPO breeds, we use the image of a female Kai Ken taken by Miraswonderland/Deposit