By YOSHINORI HAYASHI/ Staff Writer
May 28, 2021 at 19:00 JST
Wasao, a popular dog with odd looks, in Ajigasawa, Aomori Prefecture, on Oct. 18, 2010 (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
AJIGASAWA, Aomori Prefecture--A long-haired Akita Inu dog renowned for its "busa-kawa" (ugly-cute) looks is to be immortalized in bronze in his hometown here, just like the world-renowned "Hachiko" statue in front of Tokyo's Shibuya Station.
Wasao, the town's promotional mascot, died in June last year, prompting a drive for donations to create a monument in his honor.
The executive committee for the Wasao Arigato (Thank-you Wasao) project said it has raised 5.34 million yen ($48,700) so far.
The pattern for the life-size statue of the dog in a sitting position will be produced by Mio Hashimoto, a sculptor based in Mie Prefecture known for wooden animal carvings, while the statue itself will be crafted by Kurotani Bijutsu Ltd., a company in Toyama Prefecture involved in the creation of many monuments.
The executive committee, whose members include officials from the town's tourist association, called on fans to make donations and companies to provide sponsorship money to honor and remember Wasao.
"So many people kindly showed their feelings for Wasao. We are happy and feel a sense of responsibility at the same time," said Takeshi Kudo, who is in charge of public relations at the executive committee. "We hope the statue will make everyone feel like they are seeing Wasao."
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