World's most loyal dog turns 100: Know heartwarming story of Hachiko

Hachiko, the faithful Akita breed dog whose loyalty has been celebrated over the world in the form of stories, books, sci-fi dramas, and movies such as Futurama, turns 100 in 2023. His statue has stood at the Shibuya railway station in Tokyo since 1934 when it was first made and later redone in 1948.

The Akita is a large-sized Japanese dog breed, one of the oldest and most popular, which can hunt animals. The Japanese government declared the Akita a national icon in 1931.

Know all about Hachiko and his heartwarming story.

Hachiko was a cream-white dog of the breed Akita Inu who waited for its master every evening at a train station in Japan long after the master’s death.

What is the story of Hachiko?

Hachiko the dog was born in November 1923 in Odate in the Akita prefecture, the original home of Akitas.

Japanese agricultural scientist Hidesaburō Ueno adopted an Akita dog within a year of his birth, and named him Hachi. The kids added ‘Ko’. Thus, he became Hachiko.

When Ueno took a train to work, he carried his three dogs to the Shibuya station, including Hachiko. The three canines would wait at the station for the master’s return in the evening.

Ueno died on May 21, 1925, after being with Hachiko for just 16 months. Hachiko crawled under the coffin of his master and refused to move. The dog was handed over to another family outside Shibuya.

According to Hachiko’s biographer Prof Mayumi Itoh, in the summer of 1925, the loyal dog ended up at Ueno's gardener Kikusaburo Kobayashi's place. Hachiko then started going to the Shibuya station daily to wait for his master Ueno. He would look at each passenger to search for his master.

Initially some people outside the station had a problem with the dog, but after the Japanese daily Tokyo Asahi Shimbun wrote an article about him in October 1932, he became a hero.

The station started receiving donations of food for Hachiko, and visitors came to have a glimpse of the cute canine. It led to poems, haikus, and fundraisers to make a statue of him.

Hachiko died on March 8, 1935, making front page headlines of newspapers. Buddhist monks offered prayers for him and dignitaries read eulogies at his funeral.

Remembering Hachiko

Every year on April 8, a memorial service for Hachiko is held outside Shibuya station, where his statue still stands. His mount is also on display at the National Museum of Nature and Science in Tokyo. Statues of Hachiko are also present in Odate, Ueno's hometown Hisai, and the University of Tokyo and Rhode Island.

Some of his remains are interred at the Aoyama Cemetery, alongside Ueno and Yae.

Odate will have a series of events for Hachiko’s 100th birthday in 2023.

FAQs

Q1. Who was Hachiko?
A1. Hachiko was a Japanese Akita dog who is revered for his loyalty to his master, Hidesaburo Ueno. The dog continued to wait for his master nine years after Ueno's death.

Q2. Why is Hachiko revered so much?
A2. Hachiko was the most loyal dog. School children in Japan are taught the story of Hachiko for his loyalty. Movies and books are also there in his name.