Wednesday, April 6, 2011

A Statue The Most Loyal and Faithful Dog in Japan: Hachiko

Today for Travel Photo Thursday: A tribute to the most famous dog in all of Japan, Hachiko the Akita.
This dog, a Japanese Akita, became famous for waiting at the train station for his master to come home.

They had a routine, Professor Ueno would take the train, everyday, from Shibuya Station to go to work at the University of Tokyo. Hachiko, would wait for him to return, everyday.

Well, one day in May of 1925, the Professor died and didn't return but, nobody told the dog.

Hachiko, even though, adopted by a new family, escaped and kept going back to the train station, waiting for his master to return.  How long ?  How about until he died in March of 1935, a few years later !

There are bronze statues of Hachiko the Akita, books and movies about him, even video games.

People often use Hachiko, as an example of loyalty, to teach their children as they're growing up.

Hachiko is a National Hero and every year on the 8th of April there is a ceremony dedicated to him at Tokyo's Shibuya Train Station.  That's this Friday, for those who'd like to participate.

Learn more about HACHIKO THE MOST LOYAL AND FAITHFUL DOG IN JAPAN HERE and see if there are any dogs as famous in your culture. I think, Scotland has one. Australia, too.


NOTE: This Statue of Hachiko, in Okinawa, is located on HWY 329 on the left side of the road just after crossing the Kin Bridge, heading north. A better photo could be taken in early morning light.








23 comments:

Jorie Pacli said...

This is wonderful stuff and info. I haven't really known about before... Thanks for this sharing Mike... I learned something new today...;)

Here's mine: http://jorietravel.blogspot.com/2011/04/travel-photos-thursday-singapores.html

RyukyuMike said...

Jorie,
Glad to hear someone reads my ramblings!

Doc said...

And all this time I thought that it was in Chicago. That explains why there isn't a statue of Richard Gere there too.

Jim said...

Sad when dogs outlive their masters.
Thanks Mike.
http://holesinmysoles.blogspot.com/2011/04/travel-photo-thursday-march-7th.html

RyukyuMike said...

Jim,
Well, if it's them or us doin' the outliving, let's be us !

RyukyuMike said...

Keith,
Nah, they just have to wait 'til movie stars die before they stuff or statue them, I think, in that part of the world.

Expat in Germany said...

Lovely story and so nice that a statue was erected to keep the memory of Hachiko alive.

RyukyuMike said...

Expat in Germany,
Yes, the dog is well-known, all over Japan because of the statues and stories behind it.

Ryan said...

You wouldn't get a cat doing that. A mans best friend, loyal even after death. Great story Mike, oh and the story of the famous wee dog from Scotland is Greyfriars Bobby.

RyukyuMike said...

Ryan,
Not much of a cat-person, myself however, I do think Back panthers would make great housepets. Pink Panthers, they're kinda silly.
I'll be looking for you to do a post on Greyfriers Bobby.

Ryan said...

I wrote about Bobby last May Mike, here you go http://www.scotlandhereandnow.com/2010/05/greyfriars-bobby.html

Evan said...

Great story and photo. However, I think my dog might be the most faithful here in the U.S...

RyukyuMike said...

Ryan,
Sorry, I missed the Bobby Story. I'll see what I can do to bring some attention to the pup.

Evan,
Every man's dog is probably the most faithful, in their part of the world. May you have many happy days together !

strux said...

Aw, that's such a sweet story! Great photo too :)

MumBee said...

I heard about this a long time ago and it was one of those things that just stayed with me. Where is the photo from? Did you take it yourself?

Cathy Sweeney said...

Aww..what a nice story. I'm glad that there is ceremony dedicated to Hachiko each year.

Unknown said...

Great story Mike and a nice shot.

Thanks for posting to Travel Photo Thursday!

RyukyuMike said...

LadyE,
Always my pleasure. Still got the white beard, too. Need to buy a new weed whacker!

RyukyuMike said...

Cathy,
That is cool; a ceremony for the faithful dog and it's this Friday.
Wish I'd have found out sooner so, I could have made plans to drag my dogs and cameras up there!

RyukyuMike said...

Michellelovesdogs,
NOTE: This Statue of Hachiko, in Okinawa, is located on HWY 329 on the left side of the road just after crossing the Kin Bridge, heading north. A better photo could be taken in early morning light.

Yup,the photo was taken by Yours Truly.

RyukyuMike said...

Strux,
Thanks. I'll see what else I can dig up for you in future posts.

Leigh said...

Loved the story and the shot - wonder what my dog would do under the circumstances.

RyukyuMike said...

Leigh,
Thanks. We really don't want to find out what our dogs will do after we're gone. Guess we'll all just have to outlive them!