Sunday, February 7, 2010

Hachiko: A Dog's Story

Today I just finished download this movie. When I watched it, I broke into tears after half of the movie. The part where the owner of the dog, a college professor died after heart attack. After the death of the professor, the dog, Hachiko would everyday went to the train station to wait for the professor. However, the professor did not appear. Hachiko had been waiting for the professor to appear in front of the door of th station since the professor's death til Hachiko died. It's a long time, years to go. It's a touching movie and true story. One of the touching is where Hachi finally caughtthe ball. Since Hachi was adopted he was taught to catch ball. But, he never caught it. On the day the professor went to work Hachi took the ball to the train station and played with the professor. Finally, he caught the ball threw by the professor. The professor was delighted and took the ball to work. This was the last time the professor was at the station. On that day, he passed away. Seems like Hachi knew it was his last chance played the ball with the professor.

This is Hachi in real life
In 1924, Hachikō was brought to Tokyo by his owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo. During his owner's life Hachikō saw him off from the front door and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno did not return on the usual train one evening. The professor had suffered a stroke at the university that day. He died and never returned to the train station where his friend was waiting.Hachikō was given away after his master's death, but he routinely escaped, showing up again and again at his old home. Eventually, Hachikō apparently realized that Professor Ueno no longer lived at the house. So he went to look for his master at the train station where he had accompanied him so many times before. Each day, Hachikō waited for Professor Ueno to return. And each day he did not see his friend among the commuters at the station.The permanent fixture at the train station that was Hachikō attracted the attention of other commuters. Many of the people who frequented the Shibuya train station had seen Hachikō and Professor Ueno together each day. They brought Hachikō treats and food to nourish him during his wait.This continued for 10 years, with Hachikō appearing only in the evening time, precisely when the train was due at the station. (Originated from wikipedia)

This heartwarming true story is an American adaptation of a Japanese tale about a loyal dog named Hachiko. This very special friend would accompany his master to the train station every day and return each afternoon to greet him after work. Sadly his master departs one day, passes away and never returns to the station. Hachiko faithfully returns to the same spot at the station the very next day, and every day for the next nine years to wait for his beloved master. During his daily visits, Hachiko touches the lives of many who work near and commute through the town square. He teaches the local people love, compassion and above all unyielding loyalty. Today, a bronze statue of Hachiko sits in his waiting spot outside the Shibuya station in Japan as a permanent reminder of his devotion and love. (Originated from www.imdb.com)

The bronze statue of Hachiko
Just like the last part of the movie, of what the grandson of the professor say, his granfather and Hachi had taught him being loyalty. We should not forget the one we love and Hachi would be his hero forever.

No comments: