Do you know Hachiko?

I noticed on a youtube trailer that richard gere is starring in a 2009 re-make of the true story of Hachiko. I'm slightly appalled that they americanised it. But for the States I guess, it always relates more when it's done that way. What's more important to me is that it's a good thing, since Hachiko will be introduced to a new generation, and beyond the shores of Japan.

The first movie of Hachiko I know of was made in 1987. It was all Japanese but I remember the then channel 12 (which showed foreign films, sports and documentaries) aired the show several years later one night, and it had english subtitles. =)

I only heard of Hachiko from my dad before that night. All he told me was that he was a faithful dog, and so, Iako was named after him. =)

It was a simple movie, not much dialogue. But it was so sad. I cried non-stop. Especially to see that a dog shed tears.

I even just saw a video of the 1987 movie on youtube..and i still cry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3s11acb7Z8

Hachiko is a true story about a dog that was raised by a Professor who taught in a university. The dog loved his master so, that even when the professor walked to the train station to take the train to the University to teach every morning. The dog would follow, and they would say goodbye at the ticket barrier.

Faithfully, the dog waited at the station. Right at the barrier just staring at the commuters, waiting to see the face of his returning master. Soon, he knew the tiem of the day, such that he would head to the station at the right time, to await the arrival of the train.

One day, his master died of a heart attack while teaching and never returned. He could not accept the funeral rites that took place at his home, and ran to the station to wait.

And he waited and waited. Regualar commuters were familiar with him and fed him as they understood his story. The station master tried explainign to the dog that his master was never returning. He was even re-homed. But he broke free of the chains.

For several years, Hachiko waited. Returning to the station in hopes to see his master. He lay there in the rain and in the snow waiting for hours. Eyes fixed on the ticket barrier. Every night he slept at the station.

Eventually, he was reunited with his master, the happiest moment he had been waiting for at the station. He died. 8 March 1935

='(

Hachiko's faitfulnes to his master's memory impressed many and was an example of family loyalty and his vigil was taught to kids as an example to follow.

Even before his death, in 1934, they erected a bronze statue of him in rememberance right at the train station. It is the Shibuya Station, which you can still see today (though it was remade due to the war)