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An interview conducted by Mr. H. Perozo with
the reputable Mr. Takashi Hirose at the Takurahama Hotel. Mr. Hirose is President of the Tosa Fighting Center in
Kochi, Japan. September 2003.
How did your father first come in contact with the Tosa-Ken?
Alter WWII, Takashi’s grandmother used the Tosa as a ranch dog, to guard the cows from thieves which were common
because of lack of food alter the war. Mr. Maseru Hirose, Takashi’s father, was raised in a Tosa environment without
recognizing the greatness of this animal until adulthood, when he showed interest in the traditional sport of dog
fighting. Although Tosa’s have been around since feudal times, it was not until forty years ago, that Mr. Masaru
Hirose founded of what is known today as the Tosa Dog Fighting Center, once a dog fighting arena, now a tourist
museum dedicated to the preservation of Japanese culture. At this center you can experience all the traditions
of the Japanese people, including that of their dedication to the Tosa breed, Kochi traditional dances, replicas
and original dog houses, trophies and other significant artifacts related to the Tosa.
What is a Tosa combat like?
They struggle, bite and draw themselves up to their extreme height. One dog is defeated in the fight, when it
gives shriek or runs away. They have ranks e.g Yokozuna, Ozeki or Maegashira as well as Ozumo, in accordance to
their fighting results.
Can you describe an unforgettable experience with the Tosa breed?
I definitely have a story to tell you. This is something that happened to me during my childhood and it changed
my life forever. This one time, the governor of Kochi City, Japan, was visiting the Tosa Fighting Center and my
father, Mr. Masuru Hirose wanted to make a good impression by celebrating for the governor a great dog fight. He
took Takasi Hirose, Jr. dog, thinking to make the fight emotional and exciting. Unfortunately the results were
tragic. Hirose Jr.’s dog was fatally wounded.
In relating his story, Hirose, Jr. explains that he is an only child. With no brothers or sisters, the dog became
his inseparable companion. On that fatal day, Hirose had said goodbye to his dog, and left happily to school not
knowing that he would never see him again. When he returned from school, he looked for his dog, but he was no where
to be found. Upon questioning the servants, he was informed that his dog had died in combat earlier that day. For
many years he lived in pain and agony over his dog. He would not speak of dogs, dog fights or the likes. When he
graduated from college he removed himself totally from the dog environment.
Hirose: I’ve never told anyone that story, let alone a stranger from a foreign land! I consider this to be quite
personal, he said, with tears in his eyes.
How have your experiences with dog shows been?
First, let me tell you about some unsavory experiences, right here in Japan, my country. I took three of my
best Tosa’s to a Japanese Kennel Club show in Tokyo. I wanted the Japanese people to have appositive image of this
dog and know it as a docile, cal well-tempered animal. It had been more than 26 years since I last entered a JKC
show. There are a lot of influential people in the north side of Japan that don’t wish for others to see the positive,
humble side of the Tosa. They are afraid that if the breed is perceived as other than a fighting breed, that another
breed will replace it at the shows. These influential people complained to the JKC and demanded that the breed
be bared from participating in the show. Shortly after this, Mr. Hirose received a notice informing him that for
security reasons, his dogs would not be allowed to compete in the shows. This was a very disappointing because
Hirose knows the Tosa as marvelous family oriented animal. But, due to the quantity of high stake investors in
this breed, who constantly fight to protect its reputation as a fighting dog, these dogs will be shown only as
fighting dogs and it is quite difficult to find it registered with a pedigree belonging to any other club.
Can you describe the temperament of the dog?
The Tosa line belonging to my father, produces dogs that are loyal to the family, calm, extremely intelligent,
quiet and protector of children. Although there have been rumors saying that a Tosa has bitten an owner or a family
member, after thorough investigation these incidences have been considered unfounded. There are many other dogs
in Japan that are used for fighting, that are aggressive enough to bite an owner or a stranger, but not the Tosa.
What can you tell me about the two varieties in size and color of today’s Tosa?
Mr Takashi Hirose: In our gallery of Photo Archives at the Tosa Fighting Center we have a photograph
of the original small-sized Tosa used for combat, showing one of the various colors of the breed.
The traditional Tosa breeding in Kochi City does not limit the choice in color; they appreciate a variety of
color. This is contrary to the breeding requirements of the Japan Kennel Club (JKC) and the Federation Cinologica
Internation (FCI). These organizations require one color (red) as defined by the Standards. No other color is acceptable.
My father who had an ample vision of the future of the Tosa, not as an ordinary fighting dog, but as a dog to compete
in dog shows, favored the color red because this was the color designated acceptable by the JKC and the FCI. However,
the Japanese know and like the Tosa and are quite comfortable accepting other colors of the breed. Examples of
these can be found at the Tosa Fighting Center Museum.
Well, my father had a lot of concerns about this extraordinary breed and in his dreams he saw the Tosa as a superior
animal that, by the way, has become a national treasure and has represented Japan in many international competitions.
That is why my father began breeding larger Tosas, from about 150 to 250 pounds, big boned, large head, good tempered,
plenty of wrinkles, all according to the standards imposed by the JKC and the FCI.
As with any project, opposition arose against changing or modifying the traditional size of the Tosa, smaller,
more resilient in a lengthy fight, more agile in motion. However, my father prevailed and many followers committed
themselves to breed larger sized Tosas. Unfortunately, my father’s illness, his efforts diminished and interest
in continuing his work suffered. Six years ago the breed was considered extinct, although they still exist. There
is a great demand for this large type Tosa, but it is difficult to find a large show quality Tosa. You have been
given the privilege to see a Tosa Tournament. You have seen many matches, but none with the quality of Tosas you’ve
seen here. Again I say privileged because not many Japanese know this breed or been able to witness a tournament.
This is the true reality of the different sizes of the Tosa. The original that meets al the expectations of a fight
and adjust to the original version and the larger version with the expectation of being a show dog, calm, intelligent
and in compliance with the standards set by the JKC and CFI.
The same problem occurred with the Akuita. The Japanese version is a medium sized, working dog, hunter of wild
boar, while the imported European and American versions are larger, color and size in compliance with dog show
and/or mascot standards. His is why we have complained and pressured the JKC into defining the difference. The
JKC solved the problem by adding “Japanese” to the name, that way differentiating between the two. So now, there
is the Japanese Akita and the Imported Akita.
PS: The information you are reading on our educational web is extra special. It is the first time that a Tosa breeder
has been interviewed for public information purposes. We bring you this interview in a sincere effort to provide
the very best information, straight from the breeder’s point of view.
Many people are obsessed with obtaining this type of dog, heavy weight size, but if you look the dogs shown in
other websites, you can see that most of the dogs reach only about 150 pounds. I haven’t seen one yet to weigh
200 pounds. The large Tosa has been in extinction for six years, finding one is close to impossible, even in Japan.
Today the most common Tosa weighs from 100 to 140 pounds.
The following photographs are of the traditional Tosa, small,
of varying color, with characteristics from the original version.
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