Hachiko: The World's Most Loyal Dog Turns 100

BBC ^ | Nicholas Yong

[nickcarraway]

The Chinese tagline on the movie poster says it all: "I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes."

It tells the true story of Hachiko, the faithful dog that continued to wait for its master at a train station in Japan long after his death.

The cream white Akita Inu, born 100 years ago, has been memorialised in everything from books to movies to the cult science fiction sitcom Futurama. And the Chinese iteration - the third after a Japanese version in 1987, and the Richard Gere-starrer in 2009 - is a hit at the box office.

There have been tales of other devoted hounds such as Greyfriars Bobby, but none with the global impact of Hachiko.

[nickcarraway]

[Hot Tabasco]

That was a sad dog story....

[the OlLine Rebel]

Greyfriar’s Bobby pre-dated it by at least 50 years. It had a big impact. The fact that it was so early May have impeded it due to relative lack of communication.

I’d also add for myself, I never heard of the Jap story until the last 20 years maybe. And I was deep into dogs in the ‘80s.

As for Bobby, it may be apocryphal, or exaggerated by time and a few who wished to profit from a legend.

[null and void]

I’ll meet you at Hokaido station...

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Great story.
Great movie.
I’ve been to Tokyo and seen the statue.

Dog didn’t turn 100. Dead a long time.

[Celtic Conservative]

Can I come too? I know this really good soba joint...

CC

[Bikkuri]

That particular statue (shown on this thread) is in front of Shibuya Station.

[null and void]

I may be misremembering the phrase, as said by a beau to his date, the underlying unspoken message is I’ll be eternally loyal to you.

[null and void]

Maybe it was more like ‘I’ll meet you at the Hachiko statue’?

[Bikkuri]

"I’ll meet you at the Hachiko statue"

I can't count how many times I've heard/read that (phone/SMS/email)...

[null and void]

Thanks. Did I get the nuance correct, that as a meeting place is extra special?

[Vigilanteman]

Love that view. My daughter and family lived a short bus ride away and attended church weekly about a five minute walk from that place, 2014-2022.

When I would visit, it was only about a $17 shuttle ride from Haneda airport then an $8 cab rider to her home.

One of the most popular meeting spots in Tokyo, for sure!

[Bikkuri]

It is a popular meeting place because it is very well known statue at a very well know station.

But, there are MANY of statues of Hachiko spread around Japan.
This one is easily recognizable because of the surroundings though.
If you have watched movies/commercials (or even pictures) that show that really busy crosswalk with 100s of people crossing at the same time, it is on the other side of that silver billboard to the right of the statue. The '109' building in the background is also another marker.

(Was going to post the pic with circles and lines pointing everything out, but Photoshop is giving me issues 😖)
Anyway, The station exit near Hachiko statue is lower right..
The 109 building (different design/color/season) is across the street (you can see it in the pic above in post 1 to the right and above Hachiko's nose), along with the 2 Big Screens.

[Bikkuri]

Oh, I missed your 'real' meaning when you put, "extra special".. lol
Hmm, many first dates start from there, but it's because it is very well known.. Daily, I am sure there are 100s of "extra special" meets there 😏

[Bikkuri]

Oh!!! 1 more thing.
In Tokyo, Shibuya is the main place with Love Hotels.

[null and void]

Too many members of my species. And driving on the wrong side of the road!

[null and void]

No tell Hotels?

[Fury]

Re: 15 - Eh. Shinjuku and Ikebukuro have many, many “Rest / Stay” businesses. Plus Ikebukuro is loaded with adult entertainment establishments.

[sushiman]

” No tell Hotels? “

The name of the gaijin band I played drums in from 1986-1995 when we lived in the Tokyo area was called Hotel No-Tell ! We even managed to release an indie CD of 4 original songs . You can find them on Youtube .

[x]

The Richard Gere movie was alright, but it wasn’t a big hit.

I guess Asian audiences feel differently about dog movies.

Or maybe nobody likes Richard Gere very much.