Totenko

A Japanese ornamental breed from Kochi Prefecture on Shikoku Island, known as one of the long-crowing chickens of Japan alongside the Tomaru and Koeyoshi. The Totenko is a medium-sized bird with a walnut comb and clean legs, developed during the Edo period for its sustained, melodic crow. Its name derives from the Japanese words for the distinctive call pattern: 'to-ten-ko', describing the three-note phrasing of the Totenko's crow. The breed's plumage includes black-breasted red, white, and several other colour varieties. Like other Japanese long-crowing breeds, Totenko were status symbols among the samurai and wealthy merchant classes, and crowing competitions were a popular pastime. The breed is now rare globally, recognised by the EE Europastandard, and maintained by a very small number of specialist European breeders who value it as a unique example of Japanese poultry culture.