Have you heard about the story of a Japanese dog named “Hachiko”? The story of this dog moved many Japanese people and people around the world, due to its living example of love and loyalty.
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The story of Hachiko
Hachiko (ハチ公), or the faithful dog Hachikō (忠犬ハチ公), was an Akita breed dog, who is remembered even today, after so much time, for his example of loyalty to his owner. In 1924, Hachiko was brought to Tokyo by his owner, Ueno, a professor at the University of Tokyo. Professor Ueno, who had always been a dog lover, named Hachi (Hachiko) and filled him with love and affection.
Hachiko accompanied Ueno to the Shibuya train station, returning to meet him at the end of the day when Ueno came back from work. The sight of the two, arriving at the station in the morning and returning home together at night, deeply impressed everyone who passed by. The routine continued until the professor did not return on his train, as usual. Hachiko’s life as Professor Ueno’s pet was interrupted. Ueno suffered a Stroke (AVC) at the university where he worked and never returned to the station where Hachikō was waiting for him.
On May 21, 1925, Professor Ueno suffered a stroke during a meeting and died. The story goes that, at Ueno’s wake, Hachiko broke the glass doors of the house and made his way to the room where the body was placed and spent the night lying next to his master, refusing to leave.
After his owner died, Hachi went to live with relatives of the deceased professor, who also lived in Tokyo. But he escaped several times and returned to the house in Shibuya. Realizing that his owner no longer lived in the Shibuya house, Hachi began to go to the Shibuya station every day, as he had always done. And he stayed there, waiting for his deceased owner, day after day.
Hachiko in the Media
Hachi was later noticed by a former student of the deceased professor. He happened to be studying the Akita breed. This student would always visit Hachi and also wrote several articles about Hachiko’s incomparable loyalty. His story was sent to the 朝市新聞 (asashi shinbun), which was published in September 1932.
His story became known in Japan. Hachiko’s example was even used as an example to instruct children.
Hachi’s fame made no difference in his life, as he continued in the same way as always, waiting for his owner. In 1929, Hachi ended up getting mange, bringing him to the brink of death. Hachi was already covered in many wounds and was thin, to the point that one of his ears no longer stood up. He looked horrible.
On the night of March 8, 1935, Hachiko passed away, at the age of 11, still at the Shibuya station, waiting for his owner. Some tributes were made to Hachiko, such as a bronze statue, which is located at the Shibuya ticket office. Also, every March 8, a ceremony is held at the train station.
The story became so famous that even a movie was made called: “Always by Your Side.” The story is practically the same, the difference is that the movie is an American adaptation.
The story of Hachiko is a true example of love and loyalty to the owner. The Akita breed has been considered special in Japan for a long time. There are several reports of dogs of this breed that died nobly, trying to defend their owner.
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