Kishu Inu
/ˈkiː.ʃuː ˈiː.nuː/noun
A Japanese breed of medium-sized hunting dog originating in the Kii region of Japan.
Did you know?The Kishu Inu was traditionally used to hunt wild boar and deer in Japan’s rugged Kii Peninsula, and its white coat became especially favored by hunters because it was easier to distinguish in dense forests.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Japan
Old Japanese
Kii
“The name of the historical Kii region; its deeper origin is uncertain, though it was later written with Chinese characters.”
8th Century
Japanese
紀伊国 (Kii no kuni)
“The Province of Kii, an historical province covering much of the modern Wakayama and southern Mie areas.”
Medieval Japan
Japanese
紀州 (Kishū)
“A literary and administrative name meaning the region or province of Kii.”
Old Japanese
Japanese
犬 (inu)
“Dog; the ordinary Japanese noun for a domesticated dog.”
20th Century
Japanese
紀州犬 (Kishū-ken)
“Kishu dog; the breed name used in Japan, with ken also meaning dog.”
Modern English
Japanese loanword
Kishu Inu
“The English-language breed name, literally “Kishu dog” or “Kii Province dog.””
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