It's been a century since the birth of Hachiko, the cream-white Akita Inu whose unwavering loyalty to his master, even after his death, made him a global icon.
The dog's story has been immortalized in books, movies, and even in the popular science fiction sitcom Futurama.
The latest Chinese movie adaptation, which features the tagline "I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes," is currently a box office hit.
Hachiko's bronze statue still stands outside Shibuya Station in Tokyo, where he waited for his master for a decade before passing away.
Schoolchildren in Japan are taught the story of Chuken Hachiko, the epitome of devotion and fidelity. Professor Christine Yano of the University of Hawaii describes Hachiko as the "ideal Japanese citizen" with his unwavering loyalty, reliability, obedience, and understanding without relying on rationality.
Story of Hachiko
Born in November of 1923 in Odate, Akita prefecture, Hachiko was a member of a breed that has long been celebrated for its size, intelligence, and hunting capabilities. As author Eietsu Sakuraba notes in his children's book about Hachiko, Akitas are known for their calm demeanor, bravery, and loyalty to their masters. However, they can also be stubborn and hesitant around individuals who are not their primary caretakers.
The story of Hachiko's life begins when a prominent agricultural professor with a passion for canines, Hidesaburo Ueno, requested that a pupil locate an Akita puppy for him.
After a lengthy and arduous journey by train, the puppy arrived at the Ueno household in the Shibuya district on January 15, 1924. Initially believed to be deceased, the puppy was nursed back to health over several months by Ueno and his spouse, Yae.
The puppy was subsequently named Hachi, a moniker that translates to "eight" in Japanese, with the addition of the honorific "Ko" by Ueno's students.
Ueno would regularly commute to work by train, often accompanied by his three dogs, including Hachiko, who would wait for him at Shibuya station until his return in the evening.
Sadly, Ueno, aged 53, died of a cerebral hemorrhage on May 21, 1925. Hachiko had been with his master for just 16 months.
During Ueno's wake, Hachiko crawled under his coffin and refused to move, demonstrating his unwavering loyalty to his owner.
After being taken in by different families, Hachiko eventually found a home with Ueno's gardener, Kikusaburo, and resumed his daily commute to the station.
Despite being initially seen as a nuisance by station employees, Hachiko gained nationwide fame after a newspaper article was written about him in 1932. He became a beloved symbol of loyalty and dedication, and even after he died in 1935, his legacy lives on through his statue and the lessons he taught about keeping faith in someone.
Remembering Hachiko
Every year on April 8, individuals congregate outside Shibuya Station to pay homage to Hachiko through a memorial service. Hachiko's statue is often adorned with various items, such as scarves, Santa hats, and a surgical mask. Additionally, Hachiko's mount can be viewed at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo, and some of his remains are interred at Aoyama Cemetery, where he rests alongside Ueno and his wife, Yae.
Hachiko has been immortalized through various statues, including those in Odate, Hisai (Ueno's hometown), the University of Tokyo, and Rhode Island, where the 2009 film was set.
Hollywood star Richard Gere admitted to becoming emotional when reading the script for "Hachiko: A Dog's Story." The actor once revealed that the movie was so touching that he couldn't help but cry like a baby and even choked up while discussing it.
Odate has arranged a series of festivities to commemorate Hachiko's 100th birthday this year.
According to reports, Hachiko was born in November 1923 in Odate, in the Akita prefecture, the ancestral home of Akitas.
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