Nihon Ohkami (The Japanese Wolf)

The Japanese wolf, or Nihon Ohkami, belongs to Carnivora Carnidae family. With a body length of around 1 meter long, it is the smallest type of wolf. It is characterised by shorter ears and legs.

The Japanese wolf was found until the beginning of the Meiji era, from the Tohoku region to the Kyushu region. Sadly, it became extinct. Today, three preserved specimens are located in Japan. The reason for its extinction is unknown. There is a record of a Japanese wolf at the Ueno Zoo until 1892, but there were no photos found.

In 1905, the last Japanese wolf was captured in Higashiyoshino village in Nara Prefecture and was adopted by Malcolm P. Anderson, a zoologist and bird and animal specimen collector from the United States. Later on, a life-size bronze statue of the Japanese wolf was built in Washikaguchi in Higashiyoshino.

The Japanese wolf is considered a symbol of wonder and faith. The deified Japanese wolf is called makami, and is revered in many places such as Mitsumine Shrine in Saitama Prefecture and Yamazumi Shrine in Shizuoka Prefecture.