Bunkō (ぶん公, 1914 – February 3, 1938) was a Japanese mixed breed dog, famous for becoming the mascot of the Otaru city fire department.

[3] Bunkō would ride along with the firefighters during their dispatches, finding his role in helping to control the onlookers and in disentangling hoses.

[1][3] To commemorate his achievements, a statue was unveiled in 2006, and picture books and other material for children have been written about his life and specific events within it.

[2][7][8] Occasionally, they would round up some money to buy Bunkō his favourite treat of dried herring from the local market.

[10] Bunkō's feats were heard beyond the local area in Otaru, with newspapers and magazines carrying his story across Hokkaido and the rest of Japan.

[12]　Eventually, his age began to take its toll, and with his weakened legs and missing teeth making it impossible to grip a hose or move around to help out at the scene, he became more and more inactive.

[1][5][11] His casket was covered with a brocade cloth, in front of which was placed a wooden memorial tablet that read “Here lies the spirit of Otaru’s firefighting dog, Bunkō”.

[11] The Buddhist priest of the local Ryūtokuji Temple was invited to read from scripture, and many mourners came to hear the ceremony and pay their respects.

[1][13] To continue to spread the story of Bunkō's achievements he was stuffed and preserved, being displayed for a time in the fire service's main headquarters.

[1][4][3] Former members of Otaru's local fire department founded the “Committee for the Creation of a Commemoration Statue of Firefighting Dog Bunkō”.

[15] On the plated photograph attached to the statue Bunkō is shown as he was at that time, riding on the sidestep of the Chevrolet fire truck.

In the same year, 2008, the non-profit organisation Kennel Club Japan awarded Bunkō with the first ‘silver collar’ prize, given to “dogs or humans who have contributed to the co-existence of pets and people within society”.