From the 1987 film “Hachiko Monogatari” (aka Hachi-ko). Wonderful movie that tells the true story of an Akita’s devotion to his master.

You’ve got to see this! So beautiful, and yet… so sad.

Chu-ken Hachiko (lit. the faithful dog Hachiko) was born in Akita in 1923 and was first brought to Tokyo in 1924. He and his owner, Mr. Eisaburo Uyeno, were inseparable friends right from the start. Each day ‘Hachi’ would accompany Eisaburo, a professor at the Imperial University, to the train station when he left for work. Upon returning, the professor would find the dog patiently waiting, tail wagging. This happy routine continued until one fateful day in 1925, when the professor was taken ill on the job and unfortunately died before he could return home.

Despite the fact that Hachiko was less than two years old at the time, the bond between dog and owner was strong. Hachiko continued to wait each day at Shibuya station for a friend who was never coming back. At times, he wouldn’t return home for days at a stretch.

The Akita became a familiar sight to commuters as he kept his vigil for over ten years. On March 8, 1935, Hachiko finally went to meet his master. He died on the very same spot he last saw his friend alive.

Hachiko symbolizes so many different things to different people… innocence, fear, hope, joy, loss and loneliness.
Thanks for watching!

At the moment Hollywood is producing a remake of the original. Starring Richard Gere as the professor.

Back to the original…
A happy ending as Hachiko and Eisaburo reunite in the afterlife.