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.
This is wonderful stuff and info. I haven't really known about before... Thanks for this sharing Mike... I learned something new today...;)
ReplyDeleteHere's mine: http://jorietravel.blogspot.com/2011/04/travel-photos-thursday-singapores.html
Jorie,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear someone reads my ramblings!
And all this time I thought that it was in Chicago. That explains why there isn't a statue of Richard Gere there too.
ReplyDeleteSad when dogs outlive their masters.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mike.
http://holesinmysoles.blogspot.com/2011/04/travel-photo-thursday-march-7th.html
Jim,
ReplyDeleteWell, if it's them or us doin' the outliving, let's be us !
Keith,
ReplyDeleteNah, they just have to wait 'til movie stars die before they stuff or statue them, I think, in that part of the world.
Lovely story and so nice that a statue was erected to keep the memory of Hachiko alive.
ReplyDeleteExpat in Germany,
ReplyDeleteYes, the dog is well-known, all over Japan because of the statues and stories behind it.
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.
ReplyDeleteRyan,
ReplyDeleteNot 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.
I wrote about Bobby last May Mike, here you go http://www.scotlandhereandnow.com/2010/05/greyfriars-bobby.html
ReplyDeleteGreat story and photo. However, I think my dog might be the most faithful here in the U.S...
ReplyDeleteRyan,
ReplyDeleteSorry, 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 !
Aw, that's such a sweet story! Great photo too :)
ReplyDeleteI 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?
ReplyDeleteAww..what a nice story. I'm glad that there is ceremony dedicated to Hachiko each year.
ReplyDeleteGreat story Mike and a nice shot.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting to Travel Photo Thursday!
LadyE,
ReplyDeleteAlways my pleasure. Still got the white beard, too. Need to buy a new weed whacker!
Cathy,
ReplyDeleteThat 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!
Michellelovesdogs,
ReplyDeleteNOTE: 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.
Strux,
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'll see what else I can dig up for you in future posts.
Loved the story and the shot - wonder what my dog would do under the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteLeigh,
ReplyDeleteThanks. 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!