What are Japan’s most famous dogs? (5 Famous Japanese Dogs + an Afro Dog) Ichimon Japan 48

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What are Japan’s most famous dogs?

Topics Discussed

• Who Japan’s most famous dogs are
• About Yukimaru, Prince Shotoku Taishi’s beloved dog
• About Prince Shotoku Taishi
• Yukimaru’s supposed ability to talk to Shotoku Taishi and chant Buddhist sutras
• The drone Nara made based on Yukimaru
• Sakhalin huskies/Karafuto-ken
• The story of Taro and Jiro
• The movie Nankyoku Monogatari (Antarctica)
• The character Afro Ken and the Afro Ken OVA
• Saigo Takamori’s dog Tsun
• Tsun the dog’s droopy ears
• Saigo Takamori’s statue at Ueno Park
• The story of Hachiko the dog
• The argument over whether Hachiko’s birthday was on November 10th, 14th, or 20th
• About Saito Hirokichi
• The Hachiko statue at Shibuya Station
• The history of the Hachiko statue
• Hachiko’s droopy left ear and not curly tail
• How Hachiko’s grandson Tetsu supposedly got eaten as sukiyaki
• Hachiko’s death
• The yakitori skewers found in Hachiko’s stomach after his death
• Utilizing Hachiko as a nationalistic symbol
• And much more!

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Sources, Links, Videos, Etc.

Here are some of the English-language sources used for this episode.

• Prince Shotoku
• Antarctica (1983 film)
• Famous Dogs in History
• A Pointed Story – Saigo’s dog’s ears
• Japan: the history behind its love affair with dogs
• The incredible story of Hachikō, the loyal dog who waited almost ten years for his master’s return.
• AN ANALYSIS OF THE AKITA DOG, PART 1 (AKITAINU KAISEKI, 1)

Here are some of the Japanese-language sources used for this episode.

• 聖徳太子とお話できた犬、雪丸の不思議なエピソード。[#selfishな歴史犬聞録]
• 石造雪丸像（所在：達磨寺）
• 歴史上の有名なワンちゃんを調べてみよう！＜日本編＞
• ハチ公と上野博士の物語
• 秋田犬は本当に忠犬か？ハチ公の美談には裏話も
• カメ犬

To purchase Empire of Dogs: Canines, Japan and the Making of the Modern Imperial World please consider using the Amazon affiliate link below.

• Empire of Dogs: Canines, Japan, and the Making of the Modern Imperial World (Studies of the Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University)

Here are the videos of the theme songs of the Yukimaru mascot character.

• 聖徳太子の愛犬ゆきまる(歌:川本三栄子)

• ＬｏｖｅＬｏｖｅゆきまる！（歌入り）

Here is the video of the Afro-Ken OVA.

• Afro-Ken OVA

To watch the Japanese TV show about the story of Hachiko that was mentioned during this episode, use the links below. The episode is split up into multiple parts.

• 忠犬ハチ公　(1/4)　　知ってるつもり
• 忠犬ハチ公 (2/4)　知ってるつもり
• 忠犬ハチ公 (3/4)　　知ってるつもり
• 忠犬ハチ公　(4/4)　　知ってるつもり

Here is the JapanKyo.com article about Nara’s Yukimaru drone.

• Nara Unveils A Super Cute Drone Version Of Their Canine Mascot! (Video)

Here are the previous Ichimon Japan episodes that were mentioned during this one.

• What is the Curse of the Colonel? | Ichimon Japan 11
• What’s so scary about the hour of the ox? (About Ushi no Koku Mairi) | Ichimon Japan 21
• What is yakitori? (All About Japan’s Famous Chicken Skewers) | Ichimon Japan 31

To listen to the latest episode of the Japan Station podcast, use the link below.

Support the show by picking up a t-shirt at KimitoDesigns.com.

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Japanese Vocabulary List

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here’s some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen’s WWWJDIC.

• Kotowaza
  • ことわざ (n) proverb; saying; aphorism; maxim
• Inu
  • 犬 : 犬(P); 狗 【いぬ(P); イヌ】 (n) (1) dog (Canis (lupus) familiaris)
• Aiken
  • 愛犬 【あいけん】 (n) (1) pet dog; beloved dog
• Sōri
  • 総理 : 総理(P); 綜理 【そうり】 (n) (1) (abbr) (See 内閣総理大臣) prime minister (as the head of a cabinet government); premier; (n,vs) (2) (orig. meaning) leading; overseeing; leader; overseer; president

We Want Your Questions

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We’re always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

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Full Show Notes

• https:///japankyo.com/ichimonjapan