the smallest of the four main islands of Japan; south of Honshu and east of Kyushu; separated from Honshu by the Inland Sea; forested and mountainous

Japan. Its ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima , Iyo-shima , and Futana-shima . The current name refers to the four former provinces which made up the island: Awa, Tosa, Sanuki, and Iyo.

The Shikoku ( 四国犬; alternative names: Kochi-ken, Mikawa Inu,in Japanese means "Four lands") is a native, primitive Japanese breed of dog from Shikoku island(located near Osaka) that is similar to a Shiba Inu. The Shikoku is not a recognized breed of the American Kennel Club, but it is recognized by the Japanese Kennel Club, an organization recognized by AKC as an official foreign registry http://www.petpublishing.com/dogken/breeds/shibainu.shtml (AKC recognizes the Shiba Inu, however). The shikoku is also in the Canadian Kennel Club miscellaneous class awaiting full recognition.