Before the formation of NIPPO, and the splitting of the native Japanese dogs into different breeds that followed it's formation, the native Japanese dogs were referred to as "Nihon Ken" (Nihon Inu) - which means "Japanese Dog". Before NIPPO all of the Nihon Ken were considered one breed (a land-race) separated by geography.
Great article. So, to make it more interesting, in the old JKC standard for the Tosa is written that the Nihon Inu participated in the making of the Tosa. So in fact they say that Shikoku, Kishu, Kai, Akita and Shiba are a part of the Tosa?
So, to make it more interesting, in the old JKC standard for the Tosa is written that the Nihon Inu participated in the making of the Tosa. So in fact they say that Shikoku, Kishu, Kai, Akita and Shiba are a part of the Tosa?
>> Yes, I believe that is what they are saying. We've all heard that the Kochi Ken (Shikoku Ken of today) was one of the breeds used in the foundation of the Tosa Ken... But back then, during the creation of the Tosa (1870+), there was no NIPPO and so the native Japanese dogs had not been split into their respective breeds - there were just Nihon Ken from the Kochi region.
The matagi dogs, and the Akita in general, were referred to as Odate Inu as Calia mentioned. There are a myriad of other NK 'breeds' or strains, some of which are still around. In reply to @Yandharr most of the hunters I know with their own lines speak of a minimum of 6-9 generations to really establish 'type'.
If I ever knew, I've forgotten the distinction between "inu" and "ken." I inquired about one of those beautiful silk soft sculptures from Japan, asking if they had one of an "Akita Inu." The Japanese woman who replied corrected me and said "Akita Ken." I haven't really heard anyone use that term; I may have seen it written in old articles but nothing recently. Anyone know?
'Inu' and 'Ken' are different readings of the same kanji, so they have the same meaning. And yes, the Akita is generally referred to as the Akita Inu (AKIHO reads it that way, so the rest of us follow).
On my trip here, I have heard both Akita Inu and Akita Ken. Mostly ken, but that is from average laypersons. In fact everyone little shop owner we've met and asked about Akita Inu merchandise (except at Adachiya), has either been completely confused by inu (until we used ken) or adamantly corrected us. The breeders and show people I have met have called them inu.
However, we told some folks we met about my parents' duck named "Inu" and they laughed and wanted to know why it was called dog...
I have never heard a Japanese person refer to an Akita, Shiba ect as inu. I have always heard as Akita-ken ect. This may be because I have only talked to non dog people but that is what I have always heard.
Thanks for all the info! I didn't realize "inu" and "ken" were the same kanji or that JKC had dropped "inu" in referring to Japanese breeds. @poeticdragon, are you still in Japan? I was only there briefly in 2009 but was asked by a friend in the States to try to find a source of cedar lumber in Akita Prefecture to make containers for the ashes of Akitas. That was a fun side trip to a lumber yard in Noshiro, on the coast in Akita Prefecture. The owner was very gracious and drove me to small souvenir shop, either in Noshiro or nearby, that had more Akita items than anywhere else I'd been able to find. There were some nice items from the beautiful cedar wood of Akita Prefecture. My memory is so bad I can't even think what that wood is called in Japanese.
@brada1878- I shared the article about Nihon Ken that you and other NK forum members put together with Jacey Holden, President of the Northern CA Shiba Inu Fanciers (SFNC). She has requested permission to reproduce the article for distribution at the annual Shiba Party (6/2/12) in Novato CA. This is a well attended event for Shiba owners and enthusiasts.
@sukoshi's mom - Sure! Please do, that's great. And thank you. ) ... If you don't mind asking her to include a reference to PADS as well, that would be great. I know PADS wants the articles to be shared to support the exchange of knowledge among members and enthusiasts, however it would be wrong to do so without also mentioning the PADS organization. THANKS!
Comments
We actually addressed this in a recent article that was written for PADS. You can download it here: http://www.yamabushikennel.org/blog/2012/03/our-article-on-the-six-native-japanese-dog-breeds-has-been-published/
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So, to make it more interesting, in the old JKC standard for the Tosa is written that the Nihon Inu participated in the making of the Tosa. So in fact they say that Shikoku, Kishu, Kai, Akita and Shiba are a part of the Tosa?
So, to make it more interesting, in the old JKC standard for the Tosa is written that the Nihon Inu participated in the making of the Tosa. So in fact they say that Shikoku, Kishu, Kai, Akita and Shiba are a part of the Tosa?
>> Yes, I believe that is what they are saying. We've all heard that the Kochi Ken (Shikoku Ken of today) was one of the breeds used in the foundation of the Tosa Ken... But back then, during the creation of the Tosa (1870+), there was no NIPPO and so the native Japanese dogs had not been split into their respective breeds - there were just Nihon Ken from the Kochi region.
why isn't the Odate mentioned in the article?
>> Do you mean the city of Odate?
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However, we told some folks we met about my parents' duck named "Inu" and they laughed and wanted to know why it was called dog...