The true interest in maintaining the history of the TOSA - Inu like a kind of Sumo Dog is because the breed is considered to be the equivalent of the sumo wrestlers of Japan. It is a breed linked to a very cruel sport. Because it is a breed linked to sport it is not its destiny to be commercialized nor registered in clubs as in other parts of the world. In general, it is well known that Tosa fighters do not register their Tosa's in Japan or any other canine club. In the category of fight dog the Tosa - Inu receives the title of Yokozuna. This title is part of the discipline that characterizes the Japanese culture and the Sumo wrestlers, honor, respect and reverence. This is a standard that only a Tosa - Inu can achieve, making it a symbol of admiration and a historic icon for the Japanese. If a person wants to be a sumo wrestler they must pass a rigorous discipline and regime in order to reach the size and vigor of a great wrestler. What the Japanese have done is develop a race thru crossbreeding to be equivalent to the sumo wrestler, strong, impressive in size, brave and invincible. The final product was the Tosa-Inu. The crossbreeding influences in the development of the Tosa Inu are: In the year 1872 the Bulldog was introduced in the Tosa Inu breed, sought for its punitive bite, powerful front-end and truncated stop. In the year 1874 the Mastiff was introduced because of their exceptional musculature, and the enormity of their cranial structure. In the year 1876 German Pointer was introduced, because of their concordant temperament, and highly developed olfactory sense; which is fundamental for predators. Some Tosa Inu have been used for rescuing people or hunting wild boar. In the year 1924 the Great Dane was introduced to mitigate its now prodigious size and add dexterity and athleticism. Another breed introduced is Bull Terrier, further used for their increased tenacity and ability. The aim was to breed the most powerful dog in the world. It had the purpose of comparing it with the Japanese “Sumo Wrestling Man”. Within a short period of time they succeeded in developing a type that concentrated the characteristics of the Japanese Sumo Wrestling Dogs. Most of the Japanese called the Tosa a Sumo Dog. Sumo fighters are Japanese wrestlers who engage in a very unusual style of wrestling that is over 1,600 years old. The objective of Sumo wrestling is stay on one’s feet despite one’s opponents attacks and not allow the opponent to knock one to the floor or drive from the ring. Sumo Wrestling is also the basis for the traditional Japanese dog. The Tosa Inu is thus a Wrestling dog and the fights are carried out according to strict Sumo rules, and accompanied by rituals and processions. The winner is the dog that presses its opponent to the ground with its body, knocks it off its feet and holds it to the ground. The one who dominates for more than 3 to 5 minutes if the fight lasts for more than 15 minutes, is declared winner. A whining or growling dog is declared the loser. The same goes for a dog that turns its hind to the opponent or moves back three steps when attacked. The fight ends in any case 30 minutes in a draw if neither of the dogs has proved superior to the other. Tosa fights do involve biting, but their owners can separate two Tosa in the middle of a fight, to wipe his mouth with a towel, without being bitten by the dog. The dog fights among Tosa are not set up be cruel or bloody or to end with the death of one of the participants. After the fight is over the winning Tosa and his owner are honored by the looser that comes out the ring first, then the winner. The Tosa Inu’s who were successful in the Sumo fight received a valuable, beautifully decorated cloth apron with the crowning touch of an elaborately braided, thick hemp rope. Those decorations are handmade in Japan. What was demanded was not a fast and easy victory a wild fighter or mauler, but a physically strong dog, courage paired with skill, patience and stamina. In the Japanese style of Tosa dog fighting, the Tosa was expected to fight very soundlessly, relentlessly and without cowering. Through selective breeding, the Japanese refined the Tosa into a large agile and athletic dog that is disinclined to barking, intelligent and fearless. Like Sumo Wrestler Men, the Sumo Dogs are graded into a hierarchy according to the points they have recently earned. The greatest Tosa Inu wrestlers receive the title of Yokozuna, like the famous Sumo’s In Japan. Yokozuna Ceremonial Dress The original Japanese Tosa Inu is courageous, tenacious, prudent, well-tempered and docile. It displays an enormous strength and a high threshold for pain. The Tosa Inu are probably the only dogs in the world which are still used quite legally to this day for dog fights. However, the Japanese developed a type of fighting according to their cultural mentality. As such they differ from the notorious pit bull dog fights held illegally in other parts of the world. The Tosa Inu were also used to demonstrate the spirit of bravery and courage of a true fighter to the soldiers. In the eyes of a fighter to see a Tosa in a show ring is demoralizing. One can only imagine how surprised a sumo wrestler would be to see a Tosa in obedience or any other dog show. Have you ever seen a sumo wrestler in an Olympic or hot body competition? It’s just not what there made for. Yokosuna Wrestler in Ceremonial Attire