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.
Here are some of the Japanese-language sources used for this episode.
To purchase Empire of Dogs: Canines, Japan and the Making of the Modern Imperial World please consider using the Amazon affiliate link below.
Here are the videos of the theme songs of the Yukimaru mascot character.
Here is the video of the 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.
Here is the JapanKyo.com article about Nara's Yukimaru drone.
Here are the previous Ichimon Japan episodes that were mentioned during this one.
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.
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
