Kedaka, Shimane and Fujiyoshi: the growth bloodlines

If Tajima is the marbling strain, these are the strains that keep the animal growing. None of them is a marbling weakling — good Wagyu of any line still marbles far beyond conventional beef breeds — but their historical strength is size, growth rate and carcase yield.

Kedaka (Tottori)

The Kedaka strain, from Tottori Prefecture, is the classic growth line. It is associated with larger frame, faster growth to weight, and stronger milk and maternal traits. In a breeding program it is used to add carcase weight and to keep females productive — the doing-ability that a commercial herd lives on.

Shimane

Shimane, from Shimane Prefecture, sits more toward the middle: a balance of growth and marbling rather than an extreme in either direction. There are fewer heavily-used Shimane sires in the exported gene pool than Tajima or Tottori, but Shimane influence can be a useful way to add size without abandoning marbling.

Fujiyoshi (Itozakura)

Fujiyoshi — also called Itozakura — comes from Okayama Prefecture and, like Kedaka, is associated with growth and carcase weight. It is one of the main lines breeders reach for when the goal is to lift mature size and finished weight.

Why these strains matter next to Tajima

The reason the bloodlines are worth understanding together is the complementary mating: pairing marbling strength against growth strength so the progeny inherit more of both than either parent had alone. A heavy-Tajima side for marble score, a Kedaka- or Fujiyoshi-influenced side for carcase weight — that is the textbook Wagyu correction, and it works because the strengths and weaknesses sit on different traits.

But "Kedaka" on a pedigree does not guarantee growth any more than "Tajima" guarantees marbling. Two Tottori-line bulls can differ sharply in their growth EBVs. Use the strain to form the plan; use the breeding values to choose the animal. And keep this axis separate from Wagyu content — see Fullblood, Purebred and Crossbred.