The Rouken Shrine Legend
There is also another story that paints the virtues of the Akita dog. A legend states there once lived an Akita dog, named Shiro, in the 18th century in Odate. At the time, there were some ongoing disputes about mine land ownership, and people without proper permits were not allowed to trespass on those properties.
Shiro and his master Sataroku were out hunting one day, but Sataroku did not realize he forgot his hunting permit at home. When they came across guards at some point, Sataroku was arrested and thrown in prison for trespassing and hunting without a permit.
Shiro continued to hang around the prison and tried to get close to his master every time a guard walked away. After a while, the master managed to make Shiro understand the danger he was in. The Akita immediately hurried home, having to cross forests and mountains, despite it being tired and starving.
When he reached home, Sataroku’s wife fed Shiro, and gave him the hunting permit to take back to her husband. Although Shiro rushed back to the prison as fast as he could, he was unable to save Sataroku. His master had been killed just a bit before Shiro’s arrival. A shrine named Rouken (Old Dog) was erected somewhere in Odate in Shiro’s honor, after his death, to pay tribute to this Akita dog’s loyalty and courage.
