白狼 (Shirookami) the White Wolf and 大口真神 (Ooguchi Magami) Divine God of the Large Mouth
SHIROOKAMI - DOGS.UNITE
Many have expressed curiosity at our name, Shirookami. What is it? How does one say it? And, what does it even mean?
白狼 shirōkami: white wolf神 kami: god真神 megami: true or pure god, also:ōkami: (archaic) wolf
We start our journey in the cold region of Hokkaido, the northernmost regions of Japan. Often blanketed in snow and less than 30 miles from Siberia, the region is known for its fierce but beautiful winters, and is home to the indigenous people of Japan, the Ainu.
Growing alongside and even raising wolves, the Ainu believe in Horkew Retara Kamuy as a deity who embodied the spirit of the wolf. For centuries, wolves have played a powerful role in Ainu culture and mythology, being seen as the messengers of the gods. These messengers are endowed with divine powers that protect people from evil, assist in hunts, and are quick to help those in need.
Thus it comes as no surprise to see that ancient Japanese mythology recounts tales of the wolf god, 大口真神 (literally, large-mouthed divine god due to the mouths of wolves), who appeared as a white wolf, (白狼, shirōkami) to the legendary son of Emperor Keikō, Yamato Takeru (ヤマトタケルノミコト), whose name means The Brave of the Yamato. Almost subdued by his enemies in a daunting battle, his katana became dull and failed to cut.
The legendary Yamato Takeru wielding the god-sent katana. | 月岡 芳年(Tsukioka Yoshitoshi),大日本史略図会 / © Courtesy The Trustees of the British Museum
In the midst of battle, a white wolf appeared before him holding a sharp katana in his mouth. It was Shirōkami . Gently gazing into Yamato Takeru's eyes, Shirōkami placed the katana at his feet and vanished, and Takeru emerged victorious against his foes. Seen as divine intervention, this well-known legend inspired the construction of many shrines dedicated to the white wolf.
Our name, Shirookami, also pronounced Shirōkami (oo = ‘ō’), calls upon the spirit of the white wolf deity, the ōkami. It represents greatness, freedom, and the strength to show benevolence to others - qualities the decedents of wolves among us faithfully exhibit every day.