Did I post this already? Well, if I did, consider this an update.
Hachiko was born in Akita in 1923 and was first brought to Tokyo in 1924. He and his owner, Mr. Eisaburo Uyeno, were inseparable friends right from the start. Each day "Hachi" would accompany Eisaburo, a professor at the Imperial University, to the train station when he left for work. Upon returning, the professor would find the dog patiently waiting, tail wagging. This happy routine continued until one fateful day in 1925, when the professor was taken ill on the job and unfortunately died before he could return home.
Despite the fact that Hachiko was less than two years old at the time, the bond between dog and owner was strong. Hachiko continued to wait each day at Shibuya station for a friend who was never coming back. At times, he wouldn't return home for days at a stretch.
The Akita became a familiar sight to commuters as he kept his vigil for over ten years. On March 8, 1935, Hachiko finally went to meet his master. He died on the very same spot he last saw his friend alive.
Each year on April 8, Hachiko's devotion is honored with a solemn ceremony of remembrance at Tokyo's Shibuya railroad station. Hundreds of dog lovers often turn out to honor his memory and loyalty--- and to also celebrate Moris' birthday.
They also stuffed the original and put him in a museum.
There was a movie based on Hachiko released in 1987 and now there's going to be a remake starring Richard Gere.
that statue is about the most popular meeting spot in Tokyo. I went on a first date with a girl in Shibuya, she said to meet her there. I'd only met her a couple of times, and I couldn't find her amongst the hundreds of other Japanese girls. She found me though eventually... fun times. So, the moral of the story is... I dunno. Hachiko's a cool dog though. There're a few similar stories around Japan, but Hachiko is always the most touching.
