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I just watched an anime where the phrase **dog's circle** was used in the
English subtitles. The sentence was, "We are the dog's circle." Is that a well
known Japanese expression? The anime was episode 6 of _Natsume Yujin-Cho 5_ ,
where it was used at time mark 20:10. The episode just went up on Crunchyroll
this week.

From context, I'm pretty sure it refers to them being a group of friends or
allies around one they protect, but not literally surrounding him/her.
Checking on both Google and Bing, there appears to be no general English usage
of this phrase. Is my interpretation correct, and in Japanese would the phrase
be instantly understood?


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japanese-language natsumes-book-of-friends
What does "dog's circle" mean?


I'm sure someone can give a better answer than mine, since I have not read or
watched the series.

Dog's circle is not a Japanese phrase. Looking at the Japanese [wiki
article](https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%8F%E7%9B%AE%E5%8F%8B%E4%BA%BA%E5%B8%B3#.E5.A4.8F.E7.9B.AE.E7.B5.84.E3.83.BB.E7.8A.AC.E3.81.AE.E4.BC.9A),
it mentions an Inu no Kai (犬の会), or Gathering of Dogs. It says it is a
drinking club of youkai that would rush to Natsume like a dog for whatever
reason he calls them, therefore the "dog" name.

I am assuming the "gathering" part of the title was translated as "circle",
which I don't think is a very good translation.
[Circle](http://ejje.weblio.jp/content/%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF%E3%83%AB)
is used in Japanese to refer to clubs, like an "anime club", but does not
translate over well back to English in that same sense. I think the name
should've been capitalized to make it clear it's a proper noun. Still, if
they're throwing a term like that around, I would assume it was explained
somewhere in the series.


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(This "Answer" is actually a reply to @кяαzєя comment to previous answer. I
wanted to post a picture and provide full context for the episode he
mentions.)

I re-watched season 3 episode 13 ([episode
39](http://www.crunchyroll.com/natsume-yujin-cho/episode-39-natsumes-book-of-
play-584812) on Crunchyroll, which merges the first 3 seasons into a stream of
episodes numbered 1 to 39). I really appreciate the pointer. Beginning at time
mark 8:29, the group is formed during the following conversation (oY = one-eye
yokai, bY = bull yokai, N = Natsume):

  * oY: So we're all getting together tomorrow for a drinking party.
  * bY: We will!
  * oY: So, all of the yokai who know you have gotten together to throw the first annual
  * oY: "Party for Natsume-sama in the Run-down Old Shrine Near Yatsuhara."
  * bY: Run-down, run-down.
  * oY: A party for all those who have to put up with Natsume-sama's whining and meddling, and run to him like dogs if he needs us.
  * oY: You could call us the " **Natsume Dogs** "!
  * ?Y: Bark!
  * N: What kind of name is that?

(General note for those who don't watch the series -- Natsume avoids calling
for help even when he needs it. The only yokai he calls is Madara, his
powerful self-appointed bodyguard. But the others do like him and would help.)

Here is a screen-cap from the end of the episode, at the party showing Natsume
and the **Natsume Dogs** : [![Natsume Dogs \(Natsume's yokai
friends\)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/h9I4w.jpg)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/h9I4w.jpg)
Madara, in his small, Nyanko-sensei, cat form is next to Natsume, can barely
be seen from his rear, between the text and next to Natsume. I'm pretty sure
the sign being held on the left is the same Japanese which @Jimmy told us was
**Gathering of Dogs**.

So, in summary, I believe my question did post the first usage of the phrase
**dog's circle** , although this group was formed episodes previously as the
**Natsume Dogs**.


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I personally think a better translation would be "loyal dog troupe". Not a
literal translation, but makes more sense in english.


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