Sunday, April 6, 2008

Hachi-ko

Yesterday i bought this movie, about an Akita Dog of Japan...who was so loyal to his master that he 'waited' for him at the train station for 10 years (even though the master has already passed on). The movie is in Japanese with English Sub.

This is based on a true story, where if u ever get to visit Japan, ask people there if they ever heard of the Dog statue at Shibuya train station.

The dog was born in 1923, he and his master was inseparable. Every day he will follow his master to the train station (when the master go to work) and evening time he will go back to the station to wait for him. Sadly though in 1925, during that fateful morning, as if he knew something was wrong, he was not himself and probably did not want the master to go to work.

He followed the master to the train station and half way through the day, the master passed on. He went to the station to wait for him that same evening. And was doing so for the next 10 years. He himself passed on in 1935.

Its a tear-jerker and it is really a story about royalty.

And good on the Japanese people for remembering him by putting up a statue at the train station and his 'skin' is display at the National Museum of Nature and Science.






http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachi-Ko

12 comments:

Lee said...

Hi Nightwing, there was also a similar story about a dog in Scotland, I think, or England...forgot the name of the dog.
But this dog would lie by his master's grave everyday for years till he died.
Thats why there's a saying, "if you want a friend, get a dog", ha ha.
By the way, if free pop over see what I've been fooling around with my new sweetheart, ha ha.
See if you recognise the old memories, have a nice sunday, UL.

Cat Cat said...

Ah, I saw the statue in TV before... Apparently, it's located at the most famous and busy area with lots of shopping complexes.

I'm sure it's a very sad story.

Nightwing said...

Helo Uncle Lee,

Thanks for dropping by..will pop over to check your crib...:)

Nightwing said...

Hi Cat,

Ya...sad but really showed how much the dog love his master.

I understand Richard Gere is planning a movie about this dog. Will be out either this year or next.

Daphne Ling said...

Hey NigthWing,

Awww...I tell you, we always see this story about dogs, but haven't heard one of cats yet...

There was this other dog whose owner had moved from the States to UK or something (must cross the laut one)...Before he left, he gave his dog to his friend...

And the dog and the man was very sad...

After the man had left, the dog stayed at the new owner's house for about a week, then dissapeared...

The new owner was very upset about telling his friend, because he knew how sad his friend would be, so he kept quiet...But one day, the friend called, and he had no choice but to tell him...

And one day, while this man (the original owner) was cleaning his garden, he saw this very dirty and skinny dog that was walking towards him that looked like his old dog...

He thought it was impossible, but called his name (I can't remember what), and this dog started wagging his tail, and it was indeed him!

Turns out, the dog had ran away from his new owner's home and swam across the ocean to be with his old master...

I guess some boat/ship must have picked him up along the way, if the story is true...But alot of people maintain that the dog really swam all the way...

How sweet, whether true or not!

PS: Finally got to see the video...Good!

Monica said...

so sad :-(

Nightwing said...

Hi Daphne,

Thanks for sharing the story. Wow..swam across the ocean. Dogs are really something, their loyalty are top notch.

To be able to 'locate' the owner..that is truly amazing.

Nightwing said...

Hi Monica,

Ya...its indeed sad but am also thankful that the Japanese people remembered the dog.

Must understand during the 1930 - 1940's..Japan was at the state of war and to think that the people still remembered the dog is truly great.

david santos said...

Hello!
I loved this post and this blog. Have a nice day.

Please!
To avoid such a tragedy happening again, and for the salvation of our children, we are doing a worldwide campaign, displaying the image of NURIN JAZLIN JAZIMIN in blogs all over the world on 25th April 2008. Let's not forget NURIN JAZLIN.

Nightwing said...

Helo Mr Santos,

Thanks for dropping by. Don;t worry ...will not forget Nurin and other missing children.

Mommy Lose Weight said...

Yes Nightwing, when I went to Japan years ago, the tour guide ever told us about the story. It's very touching...

Nightwing said...

Hi Ling that's me,

The movie also very touching.

Can't imagine what was going on in the dog's mind...every day for 10 years waited at the same time and spot.

Kudos to Japanese people in remembering the dog. Really salute them.