Discover the history of Hachikō, the faithful dog of Japan
Throughout its long and long history, Japan has left us stories and stories to remember. Many of them may be simple myths or legends without any foundation. However, there are others who, despite having many decades behind them, have served as a lesson for millions of people around the world.
It is the case of Hachikō, the dog of Akita race protagonist of this story full of love, trust, loyalty and above all fidelity towards his friend, master and companion.
Putting a little in background, our beloved can was born away from the madding crowd. He did it right on a farm in the town of Odate in the vicinity of Akita prefecture around 1924. Hachikō was quickly removed from his mother and brothers to head to a city as huge as Tokyo. However, our protagonist did not last long only in the capital of the country of the Rising Sun.
Hachikō and his master become inseparable friends
Just upon arriving at the Shibuya station, it came into the hands of Eisaburo Ueno, a humble professor from the Department of Agriculture of the University of Tokyo. It must be said that this Japanese teacher was at first a little reluctant to stay with this Akita. This is because his previous dog had died only a few weeks ago, leaving him with a great pain and emptiness.
Although this seemed to matter very little to the dog protagonist of this story. Soon after settling in the house of its new owner, both Eisaburo and Hachikō became inseparable friends. This was further increased when the daughter of this Tokyo professor became independent and left the house completely alone for the two of them.
It was from this moment where dog and master became nails and flesh. So much so, that Hachikō always accompanied Mr. Ueno to the train station to say goodbye and wish him luck in his work. This became a kind of routine. In a kind of irrefutable love test between both parties. In fact, this curious story began to become famous throughout the neighborhoods of that time, a fact that led to this dog became known even in the most inhospitable corners of Japan.
Misfortune hangs over Hachikō
However, on May 21, 1925, the misfortune hovered over these two friends. Eisaburo Ueno died of a heart attack while teaching at the University of Tokyo against all odds. Faced with this unfortunate outcome, Hachikō was once again alone in the world. Moreover, this dog could not assimilate that he had lost his master forever and therefore kept waiting for him EVERY DAY at the train station as he had done long ago.
But he realized that the teacher never came back. He never got off the train from Shibuya station as he always did routinely. Something was happening. Hachikō knew that something must have happened to his faithful companion. But he did not care. There he remained at the station for nine long years until he died in 1935.
Despite his death, the legacy of this pet remains valid to this day. He showed us that love and friendship are one of the most important values that human beings have.
Hachikō gave us the lesson that we must always be on the side of our loved ones. Not only in moments of maximum happiness. But also in those moments of misfortune where everything seems lost.
Topos the inhabitants of Japan were so captivated by this story that in the year 1947 a great bronze statue was erected in his memory, right in the same station of Shibuya where Hachikō waited for his friend in a fervent way. Numerous legends and myths tell that anyone who touches the lap of this figure, will return to the Japanese city of Tokyo another time in his life, but this time accompanied by a loved one or partner who will process eternal love and fidelity.
Credits of the images - Wiki Commons
