Woo's Blog

The Story of Hachiko

Woo on My Blog - Sun, March 30 2008

This is the story of a real dog, named Hachiko. Hachiko was a purebred Akita living in Japan many years ago. His master was a kind man who taught at the nearby university. Everyday Hachiko would watch his master leave for the train station to go to work. Everyday at 6pm, his master would step off the train at Shibuya Station. One day, his master did not come home from work. Hachiko didn't know his master had died. Hachiko waited until he was chased away. The next day at 6 pm, Hachiko came back to the station. Hachiko came to the train station everyday at 6pm for 10 years to wait for his master.
A former student of the professor heard of the faithful Hachiko. He went to the train station to see for himself. He thought that Hachiko was hanging around the station because the station master was feeding him and gave him a room to sleep in, but he couldn't explain why at exactly 6pm Hachiko would appear at the platform his master would have come to. He published the story of Hachiko in the local paper and Hachiko became a symbol of family loyalty, faithfulness and devotion. Several statues of Hachiko have been erected. The most famous is located at the train station at Shibuya, where Hachiko would meet his master. The statue is now a famous meeting spot.

Diane on Mar 30 at 04:32 PM

What a sad but wonderful story.

Debbie on Mar 30 at 04:34 PM

This is a Young Hoosier book for the 4-5 grade levels. At the end of they year, the kids vote on the one they liked the best (I think there are 12 this year?? at this level) and one of them wins! I don't think my daughter has read this one yet.

Ojo on Mar 30 at 04:43 PM

I recall hearing this story and seeing one of the statues when I lived in Japan

Woo on Mar 30 at 05:13 PM

Debbie said:

Hachiko's story is so famous, it gets retold all the time. I'm glad to hear that it's on grade school reading lists. I saw that Richard Gere is making a movie based on Hachiko's story...I can't wait to see it, I'm sure I will bawl my eyes out.

Lisa & Harry on Mar 30 at 07:25 PM

Woo said:

Wow, Richard Gere. He is so cute. I had a crush on him since high school when I saw him in Gigilo. That would be one movie I would pay $9.00 to see with my friends. We will need to make sure to bring lots of tissues.

Mama Muttblood^..^ on Mar 31 at 04:49 PM

This reminds me of an old Disney movie called "Greyfriar's Bobby" about a Skye Terrier in Scotland who did the exact same thing for years. And he has a statue as well!

Diane on Jul 08 at 05:19 PM

So...what's the latest on the Richard Gere movie? That's one I won't miss, for sure. Dogs and Richard Gere. Not sure I can take it all at once. :) This is a great story. xoxo Diane

Liz on Oct 09 at 01:53 PM

I'm currently reading "The Story Of Edgar Sawtelle" and the story of Hachiko is in this book.....Very sad but also very good!!!

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