It's the year of the dog! Wow! Bow-wow! According to the Koyomi calendar, if you were born in the year of the dog (1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994 or 2006), you possess a sense of duty and obligation. You are fastidious, diligent and make a peaceful, harmonious atmosphere. That's the good part. You can also be pretty damn selfish and stubborn and you may find it hard to fit into normal family life. During those times, please stay in your doghouse.
The guardian deity of those born in the year of the dog is Amidayorai, who protects the dead in paradise. You will find Amidayorai represented in statues along many of Japan's pilgrimage routes.
The year of the dog brings to mind the famous story of Hachiko the dog, who went to Shibuya Station every day for 10 years waiting for his master to return from work. Absolutely everyone knows this story. What? You don't know? Shame on you! OK, I'll tell you the story -- but a modern, updated version.