Shamo Gamefowl: Types, Characteristics, Temperament

Shamo Gamefowl Rooster

Shamo Gamefowl (also called Shamo rooster) is a historic Japanese gamefowl breed known for its tall, upright posture and fighting prowess. The breed’s ancestors were brought from Southeast Asia (old Siam/Thailand) to Japan in the early Edo period. Japanese breeders then spent centuries selecting Shamos for brute strength and endurance in cockfights.

In fact, the name Shamo comes from “Siam,” reflecting this origin. Though originally developed for fighting, Shamos also provide firm meat and are gaining popularity as exhibition birds. Today the Shamo’s combination of size, power, and proud carriage makes it a unique and culturally important breed.

Shamo Gamefowl Fighting style

Shamo Roosters Fighting

An O-Shamo rooster exemplifying the breed’s upright stance.

Shamo fights emphasize close-quarters combat and stamina. These roosters battle in a small pit, standing upright and striking continuously at each other. Matches last up to 45 minutes and use only natural spurs (no artificial gaffs). Unlike birds that run or dance around their opponent, Shamos press forward relentlessly. They were bred for the “naked-heel boxing” style, relying on sheer power and endurance rather than speed.

Close-quarters combat: Shamos fight in a tight pit and deliver constant blows; evasive circling is not their style. Each bout is one long round (up to 45 minutes) with natural spurs only.
Power and endurance: Bred for strength, Shamos apply steady, powerful strikes (“naked-heel boxing”) rather than quick moves. This requires great resilience and stamina.

History and Origin of Shamo Gamefowl

Shamo Rooster

Shamo are descendants of Malay-type fighting chickens brought from Thailand to Japan in the 17th century. (The Japanese word Shamo itself is a corruption of “Siam.”) Over centuries Japanese fanciers refined the breed’s tall, muscular form. In recognition of their cultural value, the seven official Shamo varieties are protected as Natural Monuments of Japan.

Southeast Asian roots: Genetic studies show two main Shamo lines in Japan, with ancestors imported via Okinawa trade routes from Siam (Thailand). Breeders emphasized a very upright, long-necked fighting stance.
Cultural status: In 1941 the Japanese government placed Shamo under legal protection. Today all Shamo types are considered natural monuments, attesting to their historic importance.
Spread abroad: The first Shamos outside Asia appeared in Europe in the late 19th century (around 1884). They later reached the US when returning WWII GIs brought them home. In the American South, breeders eagerly crossed Shamos with local game breeds to improve fighting stock.

Types of Shamo Gamefowl

There are several recognized Shamo varieties (in Japan and abroad) that differ mainly in size and origin. Key types include:

O-Shamo (Large Shamo): The largest Shamo. Males reach about 30″ tall and weigh ~11–12 lbs (females ~7–8 lbs). They have the classic broad shoulders and heavy bone of the breed, scaled up to a grand size.
Chu-Shamo (Medium Shamo): A slightly smaller type developed from O-Shamo. Males average ~8 lbs, females ~6 lbs. Chu-Shamos retain the same upright build but with somewhat lighter weight.
Ko-Shamo (Small Shamo): A compact variety (often called small Shamo). Males weigh only ~4 lbs. Ko-Shamos have very thick, short necks and broad bodies, with the same hard feathering. (Despite their size, they are full-sized fowl, not bantams).
Yakido: A lightweight Shamo-type (around 2.6 kg) that is almost always black. Yakido are essentially petite Shamos, prized for their toughness and often raised for fighting on a smaller scale.
Yamato-Shamo (Yamato Gunkei): A muscular Shamo strain originally from Kyūshū. Yamato Shamo have a single comb (unusual for Shamos) and often a fuller tail; they are used for both fights and exhibitions.
Nankin-Shamo: A smaller, bantam-like Shamo from Niigata (including the “Ehigo” variant). These birds carry the Shamo style (upright, broad-chested) in a more diminutive package.
Kinpa (Kimpa): A rare Japanese Shamo variety with an unusually short neck and coarse feathers. Males are about 4 lbs; Kinpas have a wide body and blunt-tipped tail feathers, giving them a stout appearance.

Characteristics of Shamo Gamefowl

Rooster and Hen Shamo

A group of Shamo roosters, showing the breed’s tall upright stance.

Shamos are large and muscular birds with a very distinctive carriage. Each of the following traits is typical:

Size: Exceptionally tall for chickens – O-Shamo cocks can approach 30 inches in height. Adult males weigh around 11–12 lbs (females ~7–8 lbs).
Posture: Almost vertical body carriage. Shamos stand upright with a long neck, giving them a statuesque look.
Feathers: Very short, hard plumage that lies close to the body. The breastbone (keel) is often exposed or “bare” due to minimal feathers.
Head: Heavy brow ridges over pearl-colored eyes. The comb is a small pea-type (or sometimes absent), and wattles are tiny or missing. The short, stout beak adds to their fierce expression.
Body: Broad shoulders and deep chest. They are heavily built but straighter and less curved in outline than Malay or Asil breeds.
Legs: Thick, muscular shanks (normally yellow in Japan; green legs are disallowed). These strong legs power their huge thighs and explosive jumps.

Temperament of Shamo Gamefowl

Shamo Chickens

Shamos can be gentle with people but extremely bold with other fowl. In general:

Friendly to humans: Well-handled Shamos are often calm and can even make affectionate pets. They become quite tame with regular care.
Territorial/aggressive: They are very pugnacious toward other chickens. Male Shamos will fight almost any other rooster or even their own chicks, so roosters are typically housed singly. A Shamo cock often needs an entire pen to himself.
Good mothers: Hen Shamos tend to be more broody than most game breeds. They are diligent sitters and devoted mothers when they decide to raise chicks.
Housing note: Because of their assertive nature, Shamos are best kept with plenty of space and away from small, timid breeds. With the right setup, they can be excellent, bold backyard chickens.

Egg Production of Shamo Hens

Shamo Hen with Chicks

Shamo hens are not prolific layers, but they do reasonably well compared to other fighting breeds:

Egg count: About 90 eggs per year on average. This is modest in general but on the high end for a gamefowl.
Eggs: Medium-to-large tinted (light brown) eggs. Shamos can occasionally crush their own eggs due to their large size.
Broodiness: Very broody. Shamo hens often sit on eggs and are excellent at hatching and raising chicks. In fact, their maternal instinct is one of their strongest points among game breeds.
Note on meat: Shamos grow slowly, but yield a fair amount of lean, firm meat. (Historically their meat was considered a “pep food” in 19th-century Japan).

Main Crosses with Shamo Gamefowl

Shamo bloodlines have been used in several notable hybrids:

Brazilian Shamo: A famous cross from Brazil, combining Japanese Shamo with Asil (Malay) and lightweight Spanish Game blood. This “Brazilian Shamo” is prized for mixing power, speed, and endurance, and is popular in cockfighting circuits worldwide.
American gamefowl: In the southern U.S., Shamos (introduced after WWII) were mated into local Asil/Malay lines to strengthen fighting stock. Even today many American gamecock lines carry Shamo ancestry.
Meat/chicken crosses: Japanese breeders have occasionally crossed Shamos with larger breeds (e.g. Malay) to produce bigger table birds. Shamo crosses yield extra size and hardiness, though Shamos mature slowly.
Others: A smaller Shamo-type, the Yakido, is sometimes viewed as a Shamo cross or variant. In Europe and Asia, breeders may also cross Shamos with local game fowl to introduce stamina.