今コラムは、先に公開した残されぬ「虎の巻」(1)の続編である。筆者にとって新鮮な驚きに映った新たな情報を、当地の秋田犬大家と交流があった秋田県内の秋田犬愛好家が耳打ちしてくれたため、少しだけ触れておきたい。

　先のコラムは、前述の秋田犬大家が2013年に逝去したことによって全国でもきわめて珍しい秋田犬飼育、管理に関する「虎の巻」がもはや世に出ることはない、という趣旨を含む内容だった。

　だが、「全国で最も厳しい審査員」とも評されたその方は、慢性腎不全や糖尿病など複数の病と闘いながら、「虎の巻」の原稿を晩年までこつこつ書きためていた。かつて当コラムの筆者に対し、「80を越えると、何かを完成させる気力も失せる」と話していたが、病を押して、命を削りながら一文字、一文字、原稿用紙にしたためていたのだろう。

　この秋田犬大家と交流があった人が夫人などから聞き及んだところによると、仕上がった原稿を秋田犬団体に託すことを遺言としていたという。なぜ託したのか。故人に確認のしようもないが、察するに同団体に一冊の書籍として世に出してもらい、正しい管理法、飼育法、展覧会での競い方など秋田犬のイロハを伝承したかったのではないか。

　だが、現状は故人の遺志とは異なるように思える。秋田犬団体がその方の原稿を書籍化するために動いているとの情報はないし、家族(遺族)がその原稿を返してくれるよう要望しているのに対しても応じていないという。

　結局、何一つ物事は進まず、全国の秋田犬飼育者にとって"羅針盤"にもなり得る原稿は、日の目を見ないままである。故人の遺志に反するのかも知れないが、原稿を執筆者の家に戻し、家族の手によって出版するのが理想に近いのではないか。「虎の巻」が世に出ることを祈りつつ、動向を見守りたい。 

下段はコラムの英訳

By English

The Unwritten Tiger Scroll of the Lost Master (2)

This column is a sequel to the previously published "The Unwritten Tiger Scroll of the Lost Master" (1).I would like to touch on some new information that was whispered to me by Akita dog enthusiasts in Akita prefecture who had exchanged ideas with local Akita dog experts and which appeared as a fresh surprise to me.

The previous column included the idea that the "Tiger Scroll" on Akita dog breeding and management, which was very rare even nationwide, would no longer be released due to the death of the Akita dog expert in 2013.

However, this individual, who was also known as the "most demanding judge in the country," battled multiple illnesses such as chronic renal failure and diabetes and continued to diligently write the manuscript for the "Tiger Scroll" until his later years. Although he had previously told the author of this column that "once you're over 80, you lose the energy to complete anything," he likely continued to write on each sheet of manuscript paper, sacrificing his life to do so.

According to individuals who had contact with the Akita dog expert, including his wife, they say that he left instructions for the completed manuscript to be entrusted to an Akita dog organization. The reason for this decision is unknown, as there is no way to confirm with the deceased expert. However, it is believed that he may have wanted the organization to publish the manuscript as a book and pass down the proper methods of management, breeding, and exhibition of Akita dogs.

However, the current situation seems to deviate from the expert's wishes. There is no information indicating that the Akita dog organization is making efforts to publish the manuscript, and they have not responded to requests from the family to return the manuscript.

Ultimately, nothing seems to be progressing, and the manuscript, which could serve as a "compass" for Akita dog breeders nationwide, remains unpublished. Although it may go against the expert's wishes, it might be ideal to return the manuscript to the author's family and publish it under their supervision. While hoping that the Unwritten Tiger Scroll will be published someday, we will continue to monitor the situation. 

※コラムに推敲を重ねたほか、英文を加味して2023年3月17日再掲載したものです。