A Dog that Continued to Wait for his Dead Master

Chuuken Hachikou (Loyal dog Hachi)

Dogs are known to be the most loyal animals to human beings, and in Japan, there is a famous dog that showed this quality until the day it died. The dog’s name was “Hachi” (1923~1935) and is generally called “Chuuken Hachi-kou” (loyal dog Hachi). A statue of Hachi sits in front of JR Shibuya station in Tokyo, where it is most commonly used as a meeting spot.

Hachi was a male dog and was born in 1923 in Akita. Soon after his birth, he was transferred to Tokyo to be taken care of by Doctor UENO Eizaburo, of the agricultural department of Imperial University (the present day Tokyo University), who lived in a large house near Shibuya station. Dr. Ueno did not have any children, but there were already two dogs; 8-year-old John and 7-year-old Esu. John, a pointer dog, took care of little Hachi. The doctor loved Hachi, especially since he had come such a long way to Tokyo.

Hachi, John and Esu were used to seeing their master off at Shibuya station in the mornings and waiting for him at the station in the evenings, and also walking the long distance with him to the agricultural department gate. The doctor always gave them biscuits and patted them when they parted.

On May 21st, 1925, Hachi walked alone to the agricultural department gate in the evening and waited for the doctor. However, the doctor did not appear, even after it got dark. That day, the doctor had suddenly passed away after a professors meeting. He had only been keeping Hachi for 17 months. After returning home without his master, Hachi went into the storeroom where the doctor’s remaining possessions were kept and ate nothing for three days.

On the 25th, the fourth day after the doctor’s death, when the wake was taking place, Hachi, together with John and Esu, animals that did not understand the meaning of death, went to Shibuya station to meet their master. This continued. As it was difficult for Mrs. Ueno to keep the dogs, Hachi was taken by an acquaintance living in Sangenjaya near Shibuya. After a while many people saw Hachi waiting at Shibuya station even on rainy and windy days at the time Dr. Ueno used to return.

Admirable tale described in school textbook
Hachi was harassed by the station clerks and stall keepers for being an obstacle. On the other hand, many people thought highly of the admirable Hachi always coming to meet his (dead) master, and in 1932 the story was introduced in a newspaper. Hachi’s loyalty became known to many people and the attitude of the station clerks and stall attendants suddenly changed to one of love. The story became so popular that “Hachi senbei (rice cracker),” “Hachi chocolate” and other products began to be sold around Shibuya station. From this period, Hachi began to be called “Hachi-kou.” “Kou”means “Sir.”

A bronze statue of Hachi was built in 1934 and Hachi was invited to the unveiling ceremony. The Ministry of Education adopted Hachi’s tale into the second grade elementary school textbook, titled “Don’t forget an obligation.” It also became a movie and a story book. In this way, his admirable tale soaked into the hearts of the Japanese. In 1935 Hachi died, much to the peoples’ regret.

At the final service of the funeral, many people rushed to Hachi’s body and patted it or offered chocolates and other things. Hachi’s body was covered by flower rings brought by boys and girls who had become acquainted with Hachi. His body was buried near Dr. Ueno’s tomb in Aoyama cemetery. His skin was stuffed and is preserved at The National Science Museum in Tokyo.

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