A Kai Dog's photo which I submitted the last week got good reviews. So, I wrote about Japanese Dogs in the new journal.
Japanese Dogs are traditional hunting dogs in Japan. They are categorized in Spitz type as Spitz, Husky, Samoyed, Malamute and so on.
There are 6 type of Japanese Dogs now. Akita [ 秋田 ], Kishu [ 紀州 ], Shikoku [ 四国 ], Hokkaido [ 北海道 ], Kai [ 甲斐 ] and Shiba [ 柴 ]. The biggest dogs are Akita, the smallest dogs are Shiba. Size of Kishu, Shikoku, Hokkaido and Kai are the middle of Akita and Shiba. They are originally hunting dogs which adopted themselves to Japanese climate and geography.
Japan has conspicuous four seasons. Japanese summer is not only hot but also very humid as Tropical Zones. Therefore they Japanese Dogs are "heat summer proof" dogs more than other dogs of Spitz type.
They have a tough body and well-developed muscles, especially four legs grow well, because they were required to run and hunt on the forest where there are lots of mountains. Big dogs Akita have a good strength, and small dogs Shiba can move quick-wittedly. Generally they have high athletic abilities.
Japanese Dogs are faithful to their owner, familiar to their family, but tend to watchful to other peoples. They just suit watchdogs.
Data on Japan Kennel Club (JKC), 10% dogs in present Japan are Japanese Dogs. Shiba is the most popular Japanese Dog. They account for 80% of all Japanese Dogs.
Japanese houses are comparatively small, cities are clouded, and especially Tokyo and some gigantic cities are very busy. It's not suitable for breeding big dogs.
Therefore the smallest Japanese Dog Shiba is very popular in Japan. They are the 6th ranking among all dogs in Japan. (The best 5 in Japan are Toy Poodle, Chihuahua, Dachshund, Pomeranian and Yorkshire Terrie, date on exam of 2012 in JKC.)
If you are a fan of Ginga series, you may know Akita well. Gin -the hero of this comic series- is Akita.
Akita are well-known dogs for Hachiko which waited his dead owner for a long time. His story was cinematized several times. As you know, Richard Gere played his owner in Hollywood movie.
Akita went over from Japan to America 70 years ago. When Helen Adams Keller visited Japan, she got two Akita. They were the first Akita which went over to overseas. Since then, Akita developed their reputation in America. They are one of the popular dogs among dog fancier in America.
But on the other hand, Akita are very rare in Japan now. I searched data of their population before writing this journal. There are only about 2,000 Akita in Japan now, though Akita is the most famous Japanese Dog on the world. Unfortunately, Akita's present population in Japan is only one-twentieth as large as that of 40 years ago.
(To be continued)
part2 (Shiba)
sheltiewolf.deviantart.com/jou… part3 (Relation between Dogs and Wolves)
sheltiewolf.deviantart.com/jou…
Other journals about Japan
Japanese Guardian Dog "Komainu"
sheltiewolf.deviantart.com/jou…
Kanji in Japanese Language
sheltiewolf.deviantart.com/jou…
Cherry Blossoms across the Pacific Ocean
sheltiewolf.deviantart.com/jou…
Japanese Dogs 2 (Shiba)
sheltiewolf.deviantart.com/jou… Snow Wall Japan
sheltiewolf.deviantart.com/jou…
Japanese Dogs 3 (Relation between Dogs and Wolves)
sheltiewolf.deviantart.com/jou… Ookami (A god of the wolf in Japanese Mythology)
sheltiewolf.deviantart.com/jou… Hanabi Festivals -Season of Fireworks in Japan-
sheltiewolf.deviantart.com/jou… My fan club was opened.
It's a big pleasure for me. ^^
My fan club
Established by
I hope you will also join it. ^^
My characters' introduction
Perhaps new visitors don't know their character and backbone. So I write their introduction on my journal. I changed design of their costume recently.
Takeru [ 武 ]
He is one of the "Heroes of Spiritual Stone"
He is a son of the "Hero of Fire", who passed away (or missed) several years ago. Takeru is proud of his father.
Takeru's mane is brilliant red. His element is fire. He is a brave and indomitable male wolf.
I imaged his costume from Yoroi [ 鎧 ] and Kabuto [ 兜 ]. Yoroi is a traditional Japanese armor which was used by Samurai [ 侍 ]. Kabuto is a helmet used with a yoroi.
An golden something on his head is Kuwagata [ 鍬 形 ]. Kuwagata is a kabuto's decoration. I guess its shape originates from stag beetles and deer. It was a symbol of power and nobility for higher samurai in rank.
A red something on his shoulders are Osode [ 大 袖 ]. Osode is a part of a yoroi. It protected his shoulder from the attacks. It did the function of a shield. Samurai guarded enemy's attack by it. So samurai never had a shield in a battle.
Parts on his front legs are gauntlets. It's called Kote [ 籠手 ]. Kote is samurai's gauntlet.
His symbol on his Kote is Kamon [ 家 紋 ]. Kamon is Japanese family heraldic symbol. Almost all of Japanese have Kamon.
This kamon is "Taka no Ha" [ 鷹 の 羽 ]. It means "Falcon's plume". Two plume cross in the circle. It is one of the popular kamon in Japan. Especially samurais were fond of using this, because they hoped they lived like a brave falcon.
And as this is my family's kamon, So I love it.
Oto (Oto-Tachibana) [ 乙 橘 ]
She is one of the "Heroes of Spiritual Stone". Her element is water.
She is an affectionate, merciful and mild girl. But she will get angry if enemies hurt her family and friends, especially she terribly furious when Takeru is hurt by enemies.
Oto's mother is "the Foxes", father is "the Wolves". So she and her brother is a wolf/fox hybrid. They make good use of wonderful power like Magic, which is called "Genjutu" or "Youjutu".
(Actually, foxes appear in a lot of Japanese folklore as mysterious characters. They often tricked and cursed the people in a weird power. On the other hand, they are worshiped as the servants of Inari-shin. Inari-shin is a god of a good harvest.Well… why did they become the servants of Inari-shin?Since foxes have big tails which looks like good ears of rice, they became it.)
She lost her mother and missed her brother several years ago. Then the Chief (Takeru's grandfather) found her and he has brought up her as his child with Takeru and Inayori.)
She hoped she can meet her brother again someday.
I imaged her ribbon from Hagoromo ( 羽 衣 ) of Tennyo ( 天 女 ).
Tennyo are women who live on heaven. They appear in many Japanese tradision.
They cloth in Hagoromo. Hagoromo has a mysterious power. Tennyo can fly the sky, 'cause they cloth in it.
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The follow is one of Japanese folklore.
Long long ago, One Tennyo came from heaven to the earth and played in the water. She took off her Hagoromo and hung it on the tree. One man saw it. He became to love her. So he stole and hid her Hagoromo. Tennyo wasn't able to go back to heaven. She cried and begged him to give her clothes back. But he refused. She had no choice but to married him...
Someday a child was born from her, and he was going to be very happy. But one day, she found her Hagoromo.
She alone went back to heaven. He cried. But she was never going to be back him...
~ Tennyo's folklore exists not only Japan but also East Asia and South-East Asia. ~
Mikabosi [ 甕 星 ]
He is one of the "Heroes of Spiritual Stone". His element is sky.
He is clever and keen wolf. But, at first he confronts Takeru. His girlfriend was taken as a hostage by monsters and he can't disobey their order. But Mikaboshi and Takeru co-operate and rescue his girlfriend from the enemies. Mikabosi thanks Takeru greatly and he becomes Takeru's best friend.
I imaged his armour from an armour (bogu) [ 防 具 ] of Kendo [ 剣 道 ]. Kendo is a Japanese martial art of sword fighting based on a martial art of samurai "Kenjutsu" [ 剣 術 ]. Kendo originates samurais' sword skills in the battle field. There is samurais' way of the life "Bushido" in kendo. It means not only "strength" but also "brevity", "aggressiveness", "politeness", "respect", "calmness", "generosity" and "nobility".
I like a design of Kendo armour.
Yachihoko [ 八 千 矛 ]
He is one of the "Heroes of Spiritual Stone". His element is thunder.
He is a strong and gentle wolf. He like to take care of puppies and weak. But he has a sad memory. His family was killed by enemies and became an orphan. But he overcome the trouble and became a strong warrior. He has hoped to be strong for protecting his family and friends because he dislike to lost them again. He has trained his body and fighting skills hard.
Uzume [ 宇 売 ]
She is one of the "Heroes of Spiritual Stone". Her element is wind.
Her costume originated from Japanese Kimono [ 着 物 ] and Kanzashi [ 簪 ]. As you know, Kimono is Japanese traditional clothes. Kanzashi is a Japanese woman's traditional hair accessory which functions as a hair pin.
Uzume is a cheerful mood maker. Besides she can sing with beautiful voice.
Kibi [ 吉 備 ]
He is one of the "Heroes of Spiritual Stone". His element is earth.
Kibi is a brave warrior. He will lose his friends because monsters kill them. He revenged them. Takeru and his company helped Kibi when Kibi fought against Ura, who killed Kibi's friend.
Inayori [ 稲 依 ]
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He will be one of the "Heroes of Spiritual Stone". His element is light.
He is a second cousin of Takeru. (Takeru's father is the "Hero of Fire". An uncle of the "Hero of Fire" is the Chief. The chief's grandson is Inayori.
At first, he is a weak and coward puppy. But he will become a brave and strong male wolf as Takeru. Puppy Inayori didn't have a mane and fis fur's colour is all brown. But it will change gradually. Adult Inayori will have a golden mane and beautiful fur.
Hozumi [ 穂 積 ]
He is Oto's brother. His fur is black like mid-night. Oto can meet him after a lot of trouble. He will be the last one of"Heroes of Spiritual Stone". His element is night.
