Hachikô, faithful dog ハチ公

Hachiko, une des mascottes de la Yamanote

Hachiko, one of Yamanote's mascots

flick/treneuroni

The story of the dog that moved all of Japan

The beloved Hachikô is the Akita (Akita-ken) who waited loyally for his deceased master at Shibuya station until his own death.  In Japan, Hachikô is a star. The history of the "faithful dog" is known to all, and statues have even been erected in his honor in several places of the archipelago. It sits proudly in Shibuya, where it all started ...

 

The story of Hachikô, the "faithful dog"

In 1923, Hidesaburo Ueno, professor of Agriculture at the University of Tokyo, adopted an Akita born a few months earlier in Odate, Akita Prefecture.

The eighth puppy of the litter, thus given the name of Hachikô (coming from "hachi", number eight). A name that will mark the spirits of the years later, when the puppy becomes an adult will show one of the most beautiful devotions that the country of the samurai has known.

Since the birth of Hachikō in 1923, the professor took the Yamanote line from Shibuya to go to work. A daily trip that he never took alone, as Hachiko accompanied him every morning to the station, then returned every evening waiting for the arrival of his master, to greet him and walk home with him. Unfortunately on May 21, 1925, Hidesaburo Ueno died of a stroke at university and did not return.

Photo du chien Hachikô, dans la gare de Shibuya.

Photo of the dog Hachikô, in Shibuya station.

Wikipedia

Passers-by adore and worship the statue, which is regularly decked out in beanies and scarves during winter by many, as a sign of respect.

The image of Hachiko is also a compassionate symbol for elderly animals, as it plays a role in the propaganda of charitable associations helping "man's best friend" in need. 

Hachiko à Shibuya

Hachiko in Shibuya

Flick/ MD111


Address, timetable & access

  • Address

  • Timetable

    Hachikô exit from Shibuya station

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