Hachikō: The Faithful Dog

There is a famous saying about dogs being a man’s

best friend. Throughout the years, there have been
countless stories of many animals which have
demonstrated tremendous loyalty to their owners.
Many of these tales are about dogs, such as Greyfriars
Bobby from Scotland and Red Dog from Western
Australia. In Japan, there is a story about a very
special dog called Hachikō, who showed enormous
loyalty to his owner for ten years.

Hachikō was a golden-brown Akita, who was born

on 10th November 1923 in Ōdate, Akita Prefecture,
Japan. The Akita breed was originally used to keep the Japanese royalty and
nobility secure. Some Japanese people consider this breed to be an especially
loyal guardian and loving protector of its family.

In Japanese, Hachikō is also known as ‘chūken Hachikō’, which means ‘faithful

dog Hachikō’. His name is written like this:

ハチ公
The word ‘hachi’ means ‘eight’ and the suffix ‘-kō’ is a term of affection.

In 1924, Ueno Hidesaburō, a professor at the Tokyo Imperial University, chose

Hachikō as a pet and moved to Shibuya, Tokyo.

Every morning, Ueno would wander to the train station at Shibuya to commute
to work. Hachikō was his constant companion on this daily journey. In the
afternoon, Hachikō would walk by himself to the train station, where he would
wait for his owner to return. He would arrive at the station at the exact time
the train was due to arrive.

Hachikō and Ueno continued this daily routine until 21st May 1925, when
Ueno did not return from work one day. The professor had suffered a cerebral
haemorrhage while he was giving a lecture. He died without ever returning to
the train station, where Hachikō was waiting patiently.

Despite this, Hachikō would make his journey to Shibuya Station and wait
for Ueno to return, appearing exactly when the train was due to arrive at
the station. “Hachiko” by Author Unknown (Public Domain Mark 1.0)

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 Hachikō: The Faithful Dog

Hachikō spent a lot of time waiting

at Shibuya Station and attracted a
lot of attention. Unfortunately, a lot
of people were hostile towards him.
However, one of Ueno's students,
Hirokichi Saito, had a special expertise
in the Akita breed and would visit
Hachikō at the station. Inspired by his
loyalty, he wrote write several articles
about this particular Akita’s devotion
to his owner. One article, which was
published on 4th October 1932 in the
‘Asahi Shimbun’ (‘Asahi Newspaper’),
made Hachikō a national sensation.

Hachikō waited for his master for nine years, nine months and 15 days until
he was found dead on a street in Shibuya on 8th March 1935. He was 11
years old.

After his death, Hachikō's remains were cremated and his ashes were interred
in Aoyama Cemetery, Tokyo, beside his beloved master, Ueno. At the gravesite,
a special monument was erected in his honour.

Hachikō's fur was also preserved after his death. It is displayed at the National
Science Museum of Japan in Tokyo.
He is visited by hundreds of
people every year, who come
to pay their respects.

Every year, on 8th March,

Hachikō is honoured with a
ceremony of remembrance at his
statue, which stands near Tokyo's
Shibuya Station. Hundreds of people,
especially dog lovers, attend this event.

In Japan, many people consider Hachikō

to be a symbol of loyalty and dedication.

“Grave of Hidesaburo Ueno” by Lombroso (Public Domain Mark 1.0)

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 Hachikō: The Faithful Dog

Questions
1. In which Japanese town did Hachikō and his master live? Tick one. 

Shibuya
Hiroshima
Sapporo
Nagasaki

2. What are the characteristics of the Akita breed?

3. Draw a line to complete the sentences.

Hachikō and Ueno continued

preserved after his death.
this daily routine

made Hachikō a
One article, which was
national sensation.
published on 4th October 1932,

Hachikō's fur was also chose Hachikō as a pet.

In 1924, Ueno Hidesaburō until 21st May 1925.

4. Find and copy a phrase that means something that causes widespread reaction of
interest and excitement.

5. What was built next to Hachikō’s grave?

6. How long did Hachikō wait for his master to return?

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 Hachikō: The Faithful Dog

7. Explain how Hachikō is remembered today.

8. What happens every year on 8th March? Explain why this date is important.

9. Why do you think the Akita breed was chosen to keep the Japanese royalty secure?

10. Why do you think people say ‘dogs are a man’s best friend’? How is this story evidence
of this?

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