I promised more Japanese dog dressing and you don’t get outfits more elaborate than those worn by Tosa Inu. The breed, which originated in the Tosa district on the Island of Shikoku, was created in the second half of the 19th century, when medium-sized Japanese hunting dogs were mixed with mastiffs, Great Danes and bull terriers, among other Western breeds. The result: A big, muscular fighter.
Or should I say wrestler. Tosa Inu fights, which still take place in Japan, are a far cry from pit bull battles. For one thing, they’re legal. For another, no blood, teeth, or even growling are involved; the fight ends as soon as any aggressiveness is displayed. Just like the sumo wrestlers to whom they’re often compared, the dogs work to overbalance each other and pin each other to the ground. For more detail, see the Bulldog Information link on Dog Breeders of the World, which is also the source of the picture.
The dogs wrestle naked (similar to sumos) but the winners wear really swell ceremonial clothes.
Here’s a Tosa Inu just relaxing in a sporty outfit, ready to play in the snow.
I have read that these dogs are lead into the ring by TWO handlers, & seen a few pics that suggest it’s true: A second handler might just be the ultimate fashion accessory.
Wow, now that’s impressive. I don’t think even the human sumos get dual escorts. And the dog outfits are much more elaborate.
You forgot to mention that Tosa inu fighting referees have admitted that lighter color Tosa inu are not allowed because the blood during the fights will show too easily. You forgot these dogs are commonly forced to fight until they are near heat stroke. You forgot they isolate these naturally social dogs, alone, locked inside a cage until they are desperate for some kind of attention, and are manipulated to rely on no one but their owner. You also forgot that most of these fights are directly connected with the Yakuza. The same mafia that has trafficked drugs, murdered people, terrorized others, and trafficked sex slaves. As they supply the dogs and earn a cut of the money from these fights. The reason why it is legal in some provinces of Japan is because they have threatened to kill people if they speak up. Animal welfare activists in Japan have received threats from the Yakuza that their whole family will be killed if they continued to call for it’s ban.
So remember: every time you pay for, promote, and defend these dogfights; you support drugs, you support dog neglect, you support murder, you support terrorism, you support sex slavery. In fact you’re giving it a pat on the back when you give them your money and promotion. Never support these fights. They’re not just abusive, but connected to crime.
Thanks very much for this comment. My post was from a long time ago, and I wasn’t aware of how violent these fights were or I never would have posted so cavalierly about them. I appreciate your bringing this to my — and my readers’ — attention.
Oh! Well I didn’t realize that but I’m glad you were able to realize what this pastime is truly like. We all have had supported something without realizing it’s detrimental effects. You’re welcome and I thank you for your reply. Have a fantastic day and cheers!
I would like to share some thoughts here.
Allow me to begin by saying that I do not now nor have I ever supported dog abuse. I have spent a significant part of my life fighting and preventing it in every way I can. I can say that I have strong feelings against something without needing to misrepresent or be untruthful about it in order to make my point. You have to treat people with respect and work to change minds and hearts rather than attack them. now, to begin…
1. First of all, thank you original poster for sharing about the breed and doing your best to represent them as accurately as you can. Thank you for the recognition of this fantastic breed. To the person in the comments…
2. “You forgot to mention that Tosa inu fighting referees have admitted that lighter color Tosa inu are not allowed because the blood during the fights will show too easily.” False and misrepresentation.
No referee has ever or would ever say that. Period.
While the higher ups working on PR prefer the color red, and for the reason specified, they have never nor will they ever ban colors because of it. It is not something they seek to hide. Tosas traditionally come in all colors and no dog has ever been discriminated against (as a principle) based on its color. These are not AKC judges or a “breed”. These are extremely pragmatic dogmen and what is virtually a landrace.
Tosas have a long established reputation of going entire bouts without breaking the skin. They are built for this in every way, unlike many other breeds that are used for fighting though never designed for it. The only dog that can break a Tosa’s hide is a Tosa or another Mastiff. Further, Tosas respect the rules. Dogs that go for quick wins or try to bloody their opponent (both resulting in a quickly ended fight) or display overt signs of aggression are all rejected immediately. The dogs have developed more than one type of bite and can utterly dominate another animal, even dogs far smaller than them, without leaving a single mark. Much the same as an MMA champion need not bloody a local drunk to stop him from hurting himself or someone else. Many (not all) matches are resolved without bloodshed. The rules, judges, and tradition all allow for it.
3. “You forgot these dogs are commonly forced to fight until they are near heat stroke.” False.
This is beyond wrong, it is a gross mischaracterization of the ritual, the people, and the dogs. No Tosa has ever died from dog Sumo. Period. Vets are on standby and have as much right as a judge to call a fight on the spot. Judgements are final and are never questioned.
No Tosa has ever been forced to fight. Period. They are tested for the will to do so from birth and are selected based upon their willingness to match WITHIN THE RULES. Tosas do not fence fight with the neighbor’s dog, attack house pets, attack street dogs, etc… The definition of most fighting dogs is that they will fight anything you put in front of them. The definition of a Tosa is that it WILL NOT fight anything other than a legitimate, stable minded challenger, or an imminent threat to a loved one. Other than that, you will question if they have it in them at all. You may get ten of these dogs and only see it once.
The Rules have been honed over the last 1,000 years to actively root out a dog not willing to compete. The match will be called if the dog makes a sound (showing his lack of nerve), takes three steps away from its opponent, puts its nose through the ring wall, etc.
Tosa matches, even among champions, are regularly called off due to the dog not being willing to perform because of the large crowd. The dogs are collected by their owner and leave the ring to standing ovations. There is a great respect for this tradition, it is rooted in Shinto and Buddhism. They would not cheapen it in that way.
No part of that statement was true.
4. “You forgot they isolate these naturally social dogs, alone, locked inside a cage until they are desperate for some kind of attention, and are manipulated to rely on no one but their owner.” False and culturally abusive.
These dogs are kept away from dogs that may want to fight. They are not kept in isolation or deprived for attention in any way. They are not manipulated in any way.
Tosa dogmen love their dogs deeply. They do not express love the way you do. They are from a different culture. They will not understand how giving a dog a cushy sofa is better than giving it a purpose and a walk. They are not overtly expressive, but that is their culture. Look at how they express their love to their human loved ones and you will find there is no difference. They are not fawning or gushing in public, but that is how they maintain their honor. Through stoicism. They don’t do things like you but that doesn’t make them heartless. They show their love first in respect, a quiet respect and peace. There is nothing wrong with that.
The dogs are not locked in cages (as if one exists that would fit a Tosa anyway). They are on tie outs, in large pens, or in kennel runs. Never anywhere else. They are transported in various vans and trucks equipped for that purpose. A Tosa dog house has sold for $4 million dollars before.
It should be made clear that these are not always rich people and their dogs are not always kept in conditions we in the West would think ideal. But neither are most dogs owned by people in the cities here in the USA. They do the best they can with what they have and they make a life for their family and their pets. The characterization here is deeply offensive and highly inappropriate.
These guys work with their own dogs and/or hire people to do so daily, not unlike what you might expect a racehorse to be treated as. That comment is irresponsible.
Dogs are always held for a Dohyo Iri, a ceremony where they are presented in full regalia. The dogs are presented to the crowd and pose for pictures with adults and children like a pro athlete might sign autographs. The picture you paint would not lend the dog to being well suited for these publicity activities. Dogs collect fans and sponsors even like any other pro athlete. They are beloved.
5A. “You also forgot that most of these fights are directly connected with the Yakuza.” False and misrepresentation.
First, there is nothing the Yakuza don’t have their hands in. Politics, the local grocery store, dog shows, etc. It is a misrepresentation to pretend that they have a greater hand in this than they do in anything else.
The Yakuza do have their own leagues, their own matches, and their own rules. The above board leagues and the Yakuza do not mix. You will never see the same crowd at both. Period. It is not true that most events are hosted by Yakuza, it would also be nearly impossible for most people to tell because it’s not like they would be posting it at the local shrine.
5B. “The same mafia that has trafficked drugs, murdered people, terrorized others, and trafficked sex slaves. As they supply the dogs and earn a cut of the money from these fights.” Misrepresentation.
This is a complete misrepresentation of an organization that is as vast as it is nuanced. For starters, when the Tsunami hit, the Yakuza where there to help before any government was. They were key in restoring lives and making people whole. They build community centers, join politics and lead communities, they run businesses, open schools, etc…
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THIS ORGANIZATION IN THE WEST.
There are absolutely illegal things being performed by members of the organization, however, unlike American gangs, for instance, they do as much good as they do bad. That is why they have lasted at least the past few hundred years and need not worry too much about the law as they often operate publicly. (I am not justifying their illegal behavior, it is reprehensible, but it is not the whole story.) There is a lot more nuance to this organization and ten years of study would only begin to broach the tip of the iceberg there.
It is utterly false to suggest the Yakuza are all “criminals criming” and even worse to suggest they have a monopoly on the breed. They have their hands in many things, they have their own way of doing things which is often results oriented and they aren’t afraid to break a law. They are no more in Tosas and Sumo than they are in the JKC and Golden Retrievers: Whatever makes money. They absolutely will breed whatever dog sells, but Tosas are not kept as pets so it doesn’t make sense to try to monopolize them monetarily. The Yakuza have appropriated Samurai and think themselves ronin, true or not. They idolize certain aspects of the Samurai breed and fantasize any fight, but Human Sumo makes more money, as do drugs and politics. It is irresponsible to tie the breed to the Yakuza exclusively.
5C. “The reason why it is legal in some provinces of Japan is because they have threatened to kill people if they speak up. Animal welfare activists in Japan have received threats from the Yakuza that their whole family will be killed if they continued to call for it’s ban.” Misrepresentation.
This has definitely happened. However, it is not the rule as half the politicians or more are where they are because they are themselves or are sympathetic to that organization. There is no need to waste time threatening everyday people when you own the government. Further…
This is not the only thing the Yakuza have their hands in. They would use the same tactics to keep a bank from foreclosing on a local restaurant when they respect or appreciate the family that owns it. They are a criminal organization, yes. They are also a form of local government and keepers of the established order, especially when it comes to preserving culture and history. They do not seek crime but they are ends focused and will do whatever it takes to accomplish what they deem important.
6. “So remember: every time you pay for, promote, and defend these dogfights; you support drugs, you support dog neglect, you support murder, you support terrorism, you support sex slavery. In fact you’re giving it a pat on the back when you give them your money and promotion. Never support these fights. They’re not just abusive, but connected to crime.” False.
Tosa dog fights are not illegal and gambling is specifically prohibited. They are not crime hubs. No drugs are involved. No dogs are neglected. There is no link between dog Sumo and murders of any kind. Yakuza are not now, nor have they been a terrorist organization. They actually have an organization wide history of compliance with the police and submit to their requests as a rule. I cannot speak for what any given part of the organization does in the form of sex slavery, but the idea that attending a match is greater support to them than buying fruit at the local grocer is utter nonsense, another irresponsible statement.
Inuawasse (Dog Sumo) is not now, nor has it ever been connected to crime. It is nothing like any dogfighting anywhere else in the world.
7. Inuawasse is equal parts religious rite and temperament test to check and build character.
You will not convince a single dogman that they need to do differently by screaming nonsense at them and disrespecting them. You may be able to change minds if you can start by listening and then finding better alternatives to respect their religious traditions and test and build the Tosa temperament into the future.
Again, I disagree with dogfighting. I don’t have to misrepresent or spread falsehoods to demonstrate that. I don’t have to hate someone in order to disagree with them. They can be wrong without being evil, as can I. Hopefully, we can learn to respectfully disagree with others in the future and remember that our conduct weighs on the dogs first. They pay when we can’t get it right.
Thank you so much for taking the time to address the points made by my other commenter. I appreciate the detailed information and the context you’ve provided.