Apr 23, 2010

Hachiko, Man Should Learn From Him





After watched a good movie recently, I decided to add one more category to this Just Have Fun blog, that is movie section, that will discuss about funny, inspirational, or heart-moving films. Now, the movie that inspired me was the western version of Hachiko, that starred by Richard Gere and Joan Allen.

The Story:

An American adaptation of a Japanese tale about a loyal dog named Hachiko. This very special friend would accompany his master to the train station every day and return each afternoon to greet him after work. Sadly his master departs one day, passes away and never returns to the station.

Hachiko faithfully returns to the same spot at the station the very next day, and every day for the next nine years to wait for his beloved master. During his daily visits, Hachiko touches the lives of many who work near and commute through the town square. He teaches the local people love, compassion and above all unyielding loyalty.


Based on A True Story

In 1924, Hachikō was brought to Tokyo by his owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo. During his owner's life Hachikō saw him out from the front door and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station.

The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno did not return on the usual train one evening. The professor had suffered a heart attack at the university that day. He died and never returned to the train station where his friend was waiting. Hachikō was loyal and every day for the next nine years he waited sitting there amongst the towns folk.




Hachikō was given away after his master's death, but he routinely escaped, showing up again and again at his old home. Eventually, Hachikō apparently realized that Professor Ueno no longer lived at the house. So he went to look for his master at the train station where he had accompanied him so many times before. Each day, Hachikō waited for Professor Ueno to return. And each day he did not see his friend among the commuters at the station.

Professor Ueno's former student returned frequently to visit the dog and over the years published several articles about Hachikō's remarkable loyalty. In 1932 one of these articles, published in Tokyo's largest newspaper, threw the dog into the national spotlight. Hachikō became a national sensation. His faithfulness to his master's memory impressed the people of Japan as a spirit of family loyalty all should strive to achieve. Teachers and parents used Hachikō's vigil as an example for children to follow. A well-known Japanese artist rendered a sculpture of the dog, and throughout the country a new awareness of the Akita breed grew.

Hachikō died on the steps that he waited for his master outside the station on March 8, 1935.

Eventually, Hachiko's legendary faithfulness became a national symbol of loyalty.



The Real Hachiko and his bronze statue in front of Shibuya Station



Fun or Not:



8 comments:

Cinema 21 said...

What a great story, thanks for sharing

Free bingo said...

It seems a great story. I think I will cry a lot but I will see it. Thanks!

mr. pineapple man said...

movie was so sad~~~~ what a great acting dog!

Printing Quotes | UPrinting Coupons said...

Wow what a heartwarming story. What's even more amazing is that it's a true story. :) Looks like the movie is really worth watching.

mowmiaw said...

good post,good story,thanks for sharing

Anonymous said...

nice dog!

Unknown said...

i realy realy love that story of hachiko,2 tumbs up for him,i know God bless Him for his masters loyalty,.and that is the meaning of mans best friend,God bless you hachiko.you inspired me and my friend,

Anonymous said...

after watching the film,i cried so much...wow what a faithful and so heart touching friend hachiko was...we really have to learn from him.thanks for making a film on him.god bless hachiko.

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