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Akita History

A short cartoon clip about the life of the famous Japanese dog Hachiko, who returned to Shibuya Station in Tokyo for nine years after the death of his master.


In this cartoon Hachiko has one drop down ear just like Hachiko had in real life
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Hachiko - Cartoon
Hachiko in the Japanese cartoon
Hachiko - Akita with drop down ear
The real Hachiko

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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 - Cartoon Frame 1 Hachiko - Cartoon Frame 2

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.

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The Akita is NOT a Polar Dog (appearances deceive)

The Akita is named for his place of origin, the Odate region in Akita Prefecture (Americans: think ‘state’), on the Island of Honshu in northern Japan. So the Akita is not a polar dog, though his coat resembles that of traditional polar dogs such as Huskies and the Alaskan Malamute. There is of course a [...]

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The Akita as a Natural Monument and Cultural Heritage of Japan

The Akita was designated as a Natural Monument in July of 1931 by satisfying the criteria of “a domesticated animal unique to Japan”. Soon other Japanese dog breeds followed. These other Japanese breeds are: Akita Hokkaido Kai Kishu Shikoku Shiba Inu Until that time, Akitas were known only to the local population around Odate in [...]

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Book Review – Hachiko Waits

Newman adds characters and incidents to flesh out this true story of an Akita who became a national symbol for loyalty and hope by waiting–for 10 years–at a Japanese commuter train station for his dead master to return. Hachi accompanies Professor Ueno to Shibuya Station every morning, then returns at three o’clock to welcome him [...]

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Akita Puppies in a Historical Print

In Japan the Akita is regarded as a token for good luck.

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Akitas as Hunting Dogs in Japan

In the old days Akitas were used for hunting in Japan, but not in such a way that they would actually kill a bear. Some people tell this story but an Akita (or two of them) are not big and strong enough to bring down an angry bear. Instead, the use of Akitas in bear [...]

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History of the Akita Inu

The history of the Japanese Akita dog shows many ups and downs. The Akita’s ancestors were dogs used by matagi for hunting. These dogs, usually called matagi inu, were not as large as modern Akita dogs. Many of these dogs were used as guard dogs. Many were used to guard the emperor and his children. [...]

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The Legend of Hachiko – The Most Famous Akita in History

Hachikō (ハチ公, Hachikō November 10, 1923 – March 8, 1935), known in Japanese as chūken Hachikō (忠犬 ハチ公, chūken Hachikō lit. ‘faithful dog Hachikō’), was an Akita dog born in the city of Odate, Akita Prefecture remembered for his loyalty to his master. In 1924, Hachikō was brought to Tokyo by his owner, Hidesamurō Ueno [...]

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