Japanese Breeds Information Site: History of the Japanese Akita (Inu)

Originally Japanese dogs were small to medium in size and no large breeds existed.
In the past, (around 1630-1870) there was a dog breed living in the mountains up north of Japan, called the Akita-Matagi.
This breed was been used for hunting on bears and antelopes.
Because this dog was living in a region called Odate, they changed the name inOdate-Inu.
After the breed was further developed in the region of Akita they changed the name in Akita-Inu (Inu means dog).
First they used this dogs as hunting dogs and later as guarding dogs.
In the north of Japan they were (and still are) use the Akita-Inu as a sledge dog, to bring the things from the marked home the marked is most of the time 30 minutes away.
During the time of the samurai, he had an Akita-Inu as his companion.
Instead of the samurai had to fight with the enemy they led there dogs fight and the end of the fight was seen as a symbol of the fight between the two owners.
Because of the strong affection that an Akita-Inu had too his boss, he took a place in the Japanese mythology and until today the people give each-other an image of an Akita-Inu what seen as a sign for friendship and a good and healthy life.

During the period of 1900 and 1925 there where some big epidemics of rabies, there for the number of Akita`s was strongly cut down.
Thanks to Mr. Shigeie Izumi, Odate's mayor, the breed was build up again after that.

The loyalty of the Akita-Inu will be explained in the story of "Hachiko".

Hachiko is born in 1923 in Odate and when he was two months old he moved to Tokyo.
You can read the story of "Hachiko" if you use the link on the left site of this page.

In 1908 dog fighting was prohibited, but this breed was nevertheless preserved and improved as a large Japanese breed.
As a result, nine superior examples of this breed were designated as « Natural Monuments » in 1931.
In the period of 1912-1925 the dog fights in Japan became a National sport and the Akita-Inu was used as a fighting dog again.
Because the size of the Akita, they cross the Akita with an Tosa Inu and other big dogs.

Fortunately in 1925 the dog fights where forbidden by the Empire of Japan "Hirohito", and the Akita-Inu became an National breed.
They allow wrestling mach between the Tosa Inu`s.
They have strict rules for the match: They are not allowed to wound each-other.
The first one who drops or make a noise has lost the match.
Mr. Izumi had make a start in 1927 for rebuild the original breed, after him it was a professor named Mr. Watese and this had lead too the recovery of the national breed of Japan.
The second reason in history was been the second World War.
Because the people had no food for the dogs and maybe some other reasons the Akita-Inu died during the war.
During this World War II (1939-1945), it was common to use dogs as a source of fur for military garments.
The police ordered the capture and confiscation of all dogs other than German Shepherd Dogs used for military purposes.
Some fanciers tried to circumvent the order by crossbreeding their dogs with German Shepherd Dogs

World War II ended, Akita’s had been drastically reduced in number and existed as three distinct types;
1) Matagi Akita’s,
2) fighting Akita’s,
3) Shepherd Akita’s.

This created a very confusing situation in the breed.
Some of the Akita Inu's for the pure type where kept in the mountains by Mr. Ichinoseki, these where the dogs of the “Dewa" series “Tsubakigoma" and “Kongo" and a few other dogs some where else.

During the restoration process of the pure breed after the war., Kongo-go, a dog of the Dewa line, which exhibited characteristics of the Mastiff and German Shepherd.
After this restoration process of the breed there were two mayor breed lines the “Ichinoseki-goma" line by Mr. Kunio Ichinoseki and the second was the “Dewa" line.
It was the "Dewa" line that became well known all over the place.
A few well-know dogs of the “Ichinoseki-goma" line are “Goromaru" and “Gyokuun".

Thank to“Toou" and “Toun" the Akita-Inu was back again.
During the time they developed a lot of working areas for the Akita-Inu.
The Akita Inu is used as a hunting dog, guarding dog, hunting dog, guard and defense dog, avalanche dog, blind dog, rescue dog and a sledge dog.
The Akita Inu is by origin a hunting dog who will do his job soundless.
They were us for the hunt on red and black wild animals.
For the hunt on bears they used a couple (male and female that worked together).
It is proven that two Akita-Inu's can put a 200 lbs bear to the ground.
The Akita Inu is also used as a sledge dog.
The Akita-Inu is not really a dog for using at a long distance

Famous is the next story of the Akita Inu as a sledge dog.

In 1957 a group of Japanese people took an expedition to the Antarctic.
They had available a group of 20 Akita Inu's as a sledge dog.
Because of heavy storms and extreme low temperature the people of the expedition, too fight for there lives, where force too leave directly and leave everything (including the dogs) behind.
They where make some complains to the head of the expedition, that they had leave everything behind, including the fortune dogs.
Tree and a half years later, when the expedition went to the Antarctic again, they found fourteen dogs in the basic camp still alive.
The dogs behave them self’s if the people left yesterday and return today.
In the aria of the camp there was no food available.
Further investigation by the people of the expedition prove that the Akita-Inu's had lived on polar bear meat.
But polar bears were only fount 50 miles further.
Obvious the dogs went hunting for food and return back to the camp afterwards to wait for there owners to return.
In memory of this special story, the empire of Japan let build a big statue of 12 big bronze Akita-Inu's in different standings and put it just outside of his Royal pales.

The Rouken Shrine Legend

Another legend is about the Odate-Inu “Shiro" who tried to save his master from the death penalty in the 18th-century.
His master, Satoroku, was out hunting with Shiro but had forgotten his hunting permit at home.
He was captured and was thrown into prison.
Shiro sneaked up whimpering to him every time the guard walked away.
Finally Shiro understood that his master was in trouble and rushed home, through the woods and over the mountains.
Sarotuko’s wife found the hunting permit at home and sent it with Shiro as soon as he was properly fed.
Despite the effort, Shiro wasn’t able to save his master who had been executed just before his arrival.
The Rouken Shrine, sacred to Shiro’s spirit, was erected in remote Odate after his death.

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1olena1 10 Aug : 13:15

Thanks for the compliment Webmaster! Yes, I'm an artist and have created 17 children's books, of which this is the most recent, for ages 3 - 6. It is the ONLY book about a Shiba that I have been able to find! Hope other members will have a look.

Webmaster 07 Aug : 06:02

Olena i seen a pic of ur book, Looks very nice. I see u illustrate in childerens books. Is this new book also made for the kids or isnt it?

For those who want to order the book i just opend a new part in the forum so ill add this book to it.

Webmaster 07 Aug : 05:56

Hi Members, I just made a special part on the Forum where u can put all messeges and share the info that u want to share.
Keep it clean, Spammers of Ads will be removed.

Admin

1olena1 19 Jul : 12:08

The book is titled Nicholas, you are ridiculous!, and can be googled, since the website doesn't seem to appear here!

1olena1 19 Jul : 12:07

I've just published a new picture book about a Shiba puppy - see it on my site,

Would love to get your input!

Lazulum73 12 Jul : 21:55

Hello,, would like to know how much costs to whatsh atournement in japan and when. Thank you

jawg 08 Nov : 14:45

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAEN THE NEXT TOSA-INU TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD IN JAPAN OR HOW CAN I FIND THIS INFORMATION

jawg 08 Nov : 14:43

ANY THOUGHTS OR HELP WILL BE WELCOMED

jawg 08 Nov : 14:42

SORRY ALL SHE IS A TOSA

jawg 08 Nov : 14:41

I JUST HAD THE LUCK OF GETTING A 20MOS FEMALE; SHE WAS VER DEPRESSED LEAVING HER DAD,MOM,2SISTERS AND BROTHER. SHE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO HER NAME AND ONLY AFTER NOW 8WKS AND HEAT CYCLE IS SHE COMING AROUND, SHE IS ALWAYS AFFRAID

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