Entrevista ao Sr. Hirose Ex-Presidente do Centro Tosa Ken ,Japão

The purpose of this article is to provide fascinating first hand facts about the Tosa. Mr. Hirose is a descendent of several generations of Tosa breeders. His grandmother, after the second world War, used Tosas to protect her cattle because of theft due to widespread hunger. Mr. Hirose has dedicated his life to the production of Tosas for tournaments celebrated all over Japan. He lives and works in Kochi, capitol of the prefecture of the same name,( called Tosa, in ancient times). His family is recognized as an important component by the Imperial family of Japan due to the cultural importance of preserving the Tosa. A cadre of knowledge, Mr. Hirose answered some of our questions when we encountered him at the airport of Madrid- Barajas. Some of these, without a doubt, would address issues which we desired to learn more about, showcasing this enigmatic breed of fighting dog unique in all the world.
What does a Tosa represent in Japan and what is it's relationship with Japanese Culture?
-Fighting dogs in Japan were first seen about two hundred years ago in the hands of noble Samurai warriors. When these returned home from battle, different from the other townsfolk, who were merchants, artisans and service providers,the soldiers had to wait for another war to be declared to be gainfully employed.Many times in their waiting, they turned to fighting amongst themselves. Looking with disdain upon this practice, a very powerful Samurai Warlord encouraged his men to engage in dog fighting instead. This made the Tosa very popular and that same Samurai chief known by the name of CHOZ-O-GABE; went on to establish the rules for dog fighting.But, when TOKU OAWA, the famous "EDO ELA" defeated CHOZ-O-GABE and rose to power, he wanted to eliminate CHOZ-O-GABE's people. Matters became worse when a change to the Samurai code was in place, making for a very difficult transition. These factors lead to the encouragement of dogfighting to appease the frustrated; soldiers and; to the development of the Tosa as a superior fighter.
Did it seem strange that we should express an interest in the Tosa to the point of contacting you?
-No, because there are now many people outside Japan interested in the Tosa. In the beginning I could not understand why people would ask about Tosas and more Tosas, but, when I began to attend International Expositions outside Japan, I met people who would say only good things about Tosas. Many years ago in Japan, I had seen and liked Tosas, but I could not understand their greatness, probably because they were common in my family. I grew up surrounded by them. I had often thought of other dog breeds but, after traveling all over the world, I have not found anything similar to a Tosa, not in style, temperament or strength. I now realize that there is nothing like a Tosa. To even find a similar dog in all the world is something that is in fact impossible!
What about the Tosas in the United States?
-We believe that there are between 80 to 100 Tosas in North America. It all began when Jack Palace, an American actor, traveled to Kochi, Japan, to film a television program for the ABC Network. Upon seeing a Tosa for the very first time, he immediately began to search for Tosas asking the then Governor of Kochi, what he had to do to obtain a Tosa puppy. Not having Tosas available, the governor approached the Hirose family which eventually provided Palace with two puppies, one off which, the female, was named Ms. Kochi. Palace returned to his ranch with the puppies and successfully bred Tosas for approximately six years until his divorce, when most of the dogs were then sold. Getting back to Tosas in general; Mr. Hirose has indicated that if you see an American dog magazine there are Tosas from Korea and Taiwan, not from Japan, and sometimes the quality is questionable. I'm not saying these are not full bred Tosas because they do have pedigrees, simply that the quality is not there. In America there is a mixture of dogs of poor quality and others of excellent quality. Unfortunately the American Kennel Club does not recognize the Japanese Tosa-Inu and there isn't a forum of national magnitude which could provide the much needed exposure highlighting the virtues of the breed. We would like for Americans to see the real Tosa by way of a Japanese Tosa-Ken fighting dog and be assured that they have access to an authentic Japanese breed standard.
What would you tell me about the different bloodlines in Japan?
-First, you have to know how we produce Tosas from the start. In Japan there was a breed called the Shikoku-Inu which was originally from the area known as the prefecture of Kochi. We're used to calling this dog, of Shikoku, Tosa. However, this led to confusion, because there were two types of Tosas, one like the Shiba-Inu in type, the other, the Tosa of which we presently speak (a fighting Mastiff). So we changed the name of the Shikoku-Inu which is the name of an island. This Shikoku-Inu we crossed with Mastiffs, Great Danes, Bull Dogs among others, thus arriving at today's Tosa. The Tosa bloodlines in Japan are different, because as we said before, he was a Shikoku, a fox like creature, long and without many angles in the face. That is why upon seeing pictures of Tosas, you can appreciate different kinds of faces, but they are all correct and belong to the Tosa. The Tosa we have introduced and you are familiar with, is an improved product from only 80 years ago. That is why there are still some very young lines and consequently you can observe different pictures of Tosas, yet they are all the same breed.
Was it difficult to find a Tosa for us?
Yes, it was quite difficult, because in the Kochi prefecture there are only 350 Tosas, which is not a lot. When a foreigner wants a Tosa, they tell us its for exhibitions, but because Tosas are bred for the purpose of fighting, it takes time to obtain a dog that meets the requirements of the show standard, which include: good temperament, free of any disease or skin lesions that is why we waited for two years.
What type of care does a Tosa require?
-When the Old English Mastiff experts went to Kochi they saw the excellent bone structure of the Tosa and they were very impressed, and this good result was due to excellent balance of calcium in the bone. An important factor to understand here is that the calcium levels of water in Japan are deficient compared to Europe's. Taking this into consideration, the Tosa was originally produced through the Shikoku-Inu and the Mastiff (an English Breed). That is why we had to administer to our dogs extra amounts of vitamins, calcium and minerals to their diet, and thus, provide good bone development. On the other hand, it is possible that some Tosas may have problems with their legs because of their large body. Some of the largest Tosas can weigh 105 Kg. And although it's a lot, many of them have excellent bone structure, not unlike an English Mastiff. This is why we have to be very careful especially between the ages of two and nine months, a period in which the dog grows rapidly. As you may know, the hind quarters sometimes grow faster than the front until the animal develops completely and in this process your dog may a begin to look like a Fila. You should look at your dog every week to check that the head is growing proportionally, if not, then a change in diet might be required. In reference to diets, there is not much difference in the manner of caring for similar dogs like Fila, Mastiff and other large and long breeds because the Tosa was originally developed from Mastiffs such as these.
What would you tell Tosa breeders in Spain, USA and the World?
-Hirose says: "I have certain fears about the Tosa outside Japan. In the United States and Europe, many people see the possibilities and appreciate the qualities of the Tosa as a companion and guard dog, all while remembering it's history as a fighting dog. But believe me when the Tosa stops being a fighter, its facial expression will change, and I don't know if people would like a Tosa without the expression of having been a fighter. Between the ages of eight months to a year, many Tosas will simulate combat and they don't attack as if it were a game, understand? That is why upon preventing your pup from playing in this manner, and placing him in a crate or cage at home, you are depriving it of the opportunity to practice this simulation-ritual. The pup's expression will cease to develop if not allowed to socially interact in this manner with other puppies. I do not know how a Tosa will develop outside of Japan, without a companion, It's character would probably change to that of a companion dog. I hope to see within the next ten to twelve years, the changes made to the breed. This, of course, depends on the breedings and choices that the fanciers will make. I encourage to always strive to breed the best possible Tosa and obtain some really good dogs outside of Japan.