The Akita Hunting dog Samurai Warriors.

Legend has it that 500 years ago, the Japanese equivelent of a Baron fell out of favor with the Emperor of Japan. He and his family were exiled to one of the outer isles of Japan. This island was overrun with Yezo Bear (a bear indigenous to Japan weighing up to 500 kilos). In order to deal with this problem, He decided to create a new breed of dog, combining, 2 types of wolf, an ancestor to the modern Mastiff, a Japanese spitz, as well as several other breeds. With this new mive breed of dog, he was able to eradicate the great Yezo Bear on the island. These giant dogs closely resemble the bears that they were bred to hunt. The black mask pinto akitas especially look like an adolescent Yezo bear, most likely this is not a coincedence.

Several years later the baron made a gift of many of these dogs to the Emperor. The Emperor was so taken with these dogs, not only did he give the Baron his land and position back, but he decreed from that day forth that each of his Samurai warriors was to keep his dogs. It is said that for 5 centuries this amazing dog became an integral part of Imperial Samurai culture, and only Emperor’s Samurai were allowed to keep them

Whether or not they were bred by samurai, one thing is certain, they act like the samurai that may have bred them. They are fearless, and their loyalty is unparalleled. In fact legend has it that the Imperial Samurai were so enamored with these dogs that they actually believed that if one them died dishonorably, sometimes he would be given a second chance by being born into the body of an Akita, so he could have the opportunity to die defending the life of his master, thus regaining his honor. It is easy to see where this myth originated when you have had the chance to know one of these dogs. They are so human, and noble, it is easy to believe that the spirit of the Samurai dwells within them. To this day the Akita remains the most potent symbol of good luck in Japan.

Read more here - http://www.emperorsakitas.com/Akita-History.php

The ancient Japanese word matagi, meaning esteemed hunter, was bestowed on the best hunters in a village. Historically, the Akita was known as matagiinu (esteemed hunting dog) by the hunters of the northern Prefecture of Akita, who used pairs of dogs (a male and a female) to hunt deer, bear, wild boar and Yezo, a type of large, fierce bear. When hunting the Yezo, two dogs held the bear at bay until the hunter arrived with spear or arrow.and wild boar. Akitas are highly prized because they hunt silently. - Read More http://www.caccia.se/Akita_origin_sid_3.htm

The warrior cl, the samurai, were inspired by the dogs’ courage and rugged fighting spirit. For a type of samurai infantryman in training, an akita dog was his teacher. Read more - http://www.polarknight.com/america-akita