Origins of the breed can be traced back to the 15th century. Skeletal remains can be traced back even further. Similar-looking dogs must have been in existence in Japan up to 5000 years ago. The name Akita is taken from the Japanese prefecture in the northern part of Honshu. Here is the most likely birthplace of the breed. The second name "Inu" means nothing more than "dog". During the Tokugawa and Taisho epochs (1603-1925) the Akita was thought to be the companion of the Samurai.
In 1931 Emperor Hirohito declared the Akita a national treasure, and further export was prohibited. This edict was followed until post-1945. Duri
