The name “Yamadori” (山採り) carries profound symbolism, and to us it deeply aligned with the spirit and origins of the Shiba Inu. In Japanese, yamadori means “mountain collected” and refers to the practice of respectfully and ethically harvesting wild bonsai trees from their natural, often remote, mountainous habitats. Unlike cultivated bonsai grown in nurseries, yamadori bonsai are shaped over decades by the elements—harsh winters, wind, rock, and sun – developing a strength, character, and natural artistry that cannot be replicated by human hands.

For us Yamadori is a powerful name, as the breed itself is, in many ways, are nature-born and mountain-forged.

The Shiba Inu is Japan’s most ancient native dog, a primitive breed whose lineage stretches back thousands of years. Originally developed as a hunter in the rugged mountain regions of Japan, the Shiba Inu is compact, agile, and alert – perfectly adapted to navigating steep, forested terrain and densely wooded hillsides. Their foxlike features, keen intelligence, and fierce independence all reflect their wild ancestry and their role as solitary hunters in the wilderness.