Yokoku Temple, an ancient Buddhist temple located in Gosen City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, recently became the focus of media and public attention due to a remarkable incident involving its head priest and his dog. The temple, said to have been founded in 1504, now adds a new chapter to its long history.
The head priest, Mr. Togen Yoshihara, is known not only for his spiritual role but also for his notably muscular physique. Despite his strong build and regular physical training, he was powerless when suddenly attacked by a wild bear approximately 1.6 meters tall during a walk in the temple's mountainous rear area on May 29.
As soon as Mr. Yoshihara spotted the bear, it charged at him, tackling him to the ground and causing a dislocated shoulder and ligament injuries. Reflecting on the attack, Mr. Yoshihara said, "When I noticed the bear, it was already rushing at me. I was completely helpless against the sudden assault. It was very frustrating and I felt deeply powerless. My shoulder hurt terribly, but I just had to endure the pain."
Fortunately, his one-year-old beagle named Chiko, who accompanied him on the walk, bravely intervened. Chiko barked loudly and persistently at the bear, which eventually caused the animal to retreat back into the forest. The dog even chased the bear deep into the woods, disappearing from sight for about 30 minutes. Thankfully, Chiko returned safely to the temple, much to Mr. Yoshihara's relief.
What makes this story even more extraordinary is that Chiko was originally given up by his previous owner for being too noisy. After being returned to a breeder, Chiko was taken in by Mr. Yoshihara at Yokoku Temple. Ironically, the same loud barking that once caused Chiko to be abandoned ultimately saved the priest's life.
This event has inspired many online comments, with people praising Chiko as a hero and reflecting on the unlikely bond between the priest and his dog. Many see a sense of fate or divine intervention in how Chiko came to be at the temple and saved Mr. Yoshihara from a dangerous encounter.
Yokoku Temple, with its centuries-old history intertwined with samurai legends, now also holds the legend of "Gosen's Chiko-sama", the brave beagle who saved a life through courage and noise.
