Dear Onagadori (long-tailed chicken) around the world.
November 14, 2020, I have decided to launch the Tosa Onagadori Kanto Lovers Association(土佐オナガドリ関東愛好会)
Tosa Onagadori ; a natural monument of Japan
This time, the background of the establishment this association is as follows; I think that breeders are aware of remarkable decrease in Japanese chickens, due to the recent decrease in lovers of Japanese chickens, and chinging lifestyle or diversification of hobbies.
However, if you look around the world, it’s unprecedented boom in Japan, and Japanese culture such as Bonsai(盆栽), Nishikigoi(錦鯉) are very popular overseas. There are many lovers, and Japanese clubs. And when it comes to Bonsai, it’s Omiya, Saitama pref. As to Nishikigoi, it’s Nagaoka, Niigata pref. By the way, what about Japanese chickens? As for chikens, Despite the fact that it’s many uniqueness of them in each region, the opportunity to see excellent Japanese chickens has become difficult , even for us Japanese.
I visited Nankoku city in Kochi pref in March of this year. The place is sancutuary of the chicken “Tosa Onagadori” . That was a trigger of establishing this association. I took a look around This city is a part of preservation project being carried out. I experienced the blood test of Onagadori, the breeding place and facility.
It’s said the number of breeding birds has increased significantly compared to around 2013, when the number of birds has decreased to more than 200, which is said to be the limit of breeding. But there are still many issues regarding the growth of tail. That’s important for them. The quality of Onagadori itself did not seem to be bad, but it’s a problem of labor of breeding in the “Tomeko or Tomebako”(止め箱) in that case.
For those who love Onagadori, breeding in a stop box is not cared, but for those who do not or for elderly breeders, the unique breeding method is certainly troublesome.
From my honest feeling, it was the wonderful breeding situation in Kochi pref, but the breeder‘s enthusiasm for the Onagadori was a little cold. Because everyone seemed to be raising Onagadori under the pressure of not letting the Onagadori strains stop, with a sense of mission to be the head family, unfortunately I have the impression that they were not enjoying breeding.
This time, I decided to make this association a “lover’s association ” instead of a “preservation’s association”. We have to forget the burden of Onagadori which is to be preserved, and is a national special natural monument. I would be very happy if that led to preservation later, but first of all, I want it to be known as a national special natural monument of this country which is called “Tosa Onagadori” to the Japanese people, and then to the world as a unique chicken. I hope you will know how Onagadori is valued in Japan, where is the origin of them.
What about the name of this association.
This is a reason why I chose very long name “Special Natural Monument Tosa Onagadori Kanto lovers Association “(特別天然記念物土佐オナガドリ関東愛好会)
(1) Onagadori is a nationally designed special natural monument.
(2) This designated name of the special natural monument of Onagadori is Tosa Onagadori.
(3) For the sake of the development of Onagadori in Kochi pref, and in every place where Onagadori lovers are. Also, for the revival of the Onagadori in Kanto region.
I hope you will keep an eye on the future development of Onagadori breeding.
Last but not least.
I’d like to introduce myself briefly.
I started breeding Onagadori on May 28, 2013.
The beginning is four hybrid Onagadori that hatched from seed eggs ordered from Hokkaido pref.
After that May 21, 2017, I started breeding the excellent line of Onagadori (currently 3 meters long) which is the mainstream of current breeding.
The chickens are hatched and increased by artificial insemination while the observing the extension of tail by the stop box.
In addition, this year we succeed in hatching the seed eggs that were handed over from the members of the “Oshino Nagao Chicken preservation society” (大篠長尾鶏保存会)in Nankoku city, Kochi pref, and next year we’ll be able to breed more and more excellent strains.
Since I’ve been only 7 years, and I’ve spent every day trying and studying.
Therefore, most of the members are still one year old or less, but I’d like to study with the members and enjoy the fun life of Onagadori breeding while focusing on the prosperity of wonderful Onagadori chickens.
Although the association has been established, we won’t interact with each Japanese chicken preservation society because we won’t be doing any public activities as an association for the time being. I hope to hold the first exhibition in a few years, when our pet chickens is going to be wonderful appearance.
In addition, due to the recent spread of livestock theft damage, our address will be disclosed only to members and close chicken lovers. I’m always looking for new breeders, so I will post my e-mail address below, so please contact me.
Please pray for the future development of the “Special Natural Monument Tosa Onagadori Kanto Lovers Association”.
Chairman : Shigeta