Historic Kai Ken

This page is dedicated to the Kai Ken of history.

Kuro (クロ) - A male kurotora born in January 1913 from Ashiyasu village and rumored to have lived to be 28 years old. Photo taken January 1938.

Maru-gō (マル号) - A male Ministry of Education Natural Monument award-winning dog owned by Mr. Karemaru, photo taken in 1938.

Kikuryū On'na-gō (菊竜女号) - Born July 12, 1965 & owned by Mr. Yakushiro

Chitan-gō (チタン号) - 3 year old, boar-type, male kurotora from Miyamoto village. He was a representative dog when Kai Ken applied for natural living monument designation in Japan. 
Chitan was owned by Daisuke Adachi. 

Ken-gō (ケン号) - 3 year old, deer-type, male akatora from Nishiyama village. He was a representative dog when Kai Ken applied for natural living monument designation in Japan. 

Hyaku-gō (百号) - 3 year old, deer-type, male kurotora from Ashiyasu village. He was a representative dog when Kai Ken applied for natural living monument designation in Japan. 
Hyaku was a famous dog owned by Yu Kaneko, a leading researcher of Japanese dogs.

Gengorou-gō (源五狼号) - "A wonderful kai dog's body that expresses agility."
​Owned and bred by Takuro Yanagisawa, from a page in his book on Kai Ken.

Satori-gō (智理号) - An akatora born in January 1948, Satori's sire and dam were prize winning Kai Ken (only Kai Ken who won exhibitions were permitted to breed during the war, to save resources). He was a foundation dog for many famous kennels and is also Gengorou's great-great-great-grandsire.

Dan-gō (ダン号) - A 3 year old kurotora male & one of Mr. Daisuke Adachi's dogs. After completing training, he climbed 8-foot upright stone walls and jumped over six-foot fences. Photo taken August 1931

John-gō (ジョン号) - A 7 year old boar-type hunting dog whose father was Tora-go of Hirabayashi village. Photo taken on May 5, 1932. Owned by Mr. Watanabe

Tora-gō (トラ号) - A 1 year old male owned by Mr. Naito, a member of Ashiyasu village. He was bred after examination by the Kai Ken Aigokai. Born on May 20, 1931, Photo taken May 1932.

Komarou-gō (巨摩狼号) - A male kurotora born in April 15th, 1956. He is Satori's son & the start of the 'Great Wolf' blood line of Kai Ken. "He was wounded on his first bear hunt and killed more than a dozen bears after that. He was a big game hunter, bird hunter, and ran around in the mountains and fields. He left behind a large number of offspring during his life." Recounted his owner, Takuro Yanagisawa in the books 甲斐犬 柳沢琢朗執筆集 & 巨摩狼系 甲斐犬の保存. Komarou passed at the age of 12 years old.

Pochi- (ポチ号) - Owned by Mr. Kawano, photo taken in 1938.

Tora-gō (トラ号) - Tora-gō of Hirabayashi village at 10 yeas old, John-gō's sire. Photo taken in 1932.

Do-gō (ド号) - Born in 1970

Yamato-gō (大和号 ) - Sire: Kuchi-gō (口号), Dam: Dai-gō (大号), Born October 17, 1940

Kaikuro-gō (甲斐黒号) - Excellent dog award winner, Born February 24, 1961. Photo taken August 7, 1962.

A photo from the 3rd Kai Ken exhibition where they must show their breed charactaristics, held on April 3rd, 1935.

"Kai dogs excelled in the art of hunting without being forced to be trained in any way." - From the document "小金御鹿狩御用猪御用犬一件御用留" on falconry and excellent hunting dogs.