(This is not a famous Hachiko statue from Tokyo, just another Akita dog)
The Akita is a large breed of dog originating from the mountainous northern regions of Japan. A Japanese strain, commonly called “Akita Ken” in Japan, “Akita Inu” (“inu” means “dog” in Japanese), or “Japanese Akita”.
The story of Hachikō, the most revered Akita of all time, helped push the Akita into the international dog world.
In 1931, the Akita was officially declared a Japanese Natural Monument. In 1934 the first Japanese breed standard for the Akita Inu was listed, following the breed’s declaration as a natural monument of Japan. In 1967, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Akita Dog Preservation Society, the Akita Dog Museum was built to house information, documents and photos.
There is a tradition in Japan, that when a child is born they receive a statue of an Akita. This statue symbolizes health, happiness, and a long life.
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