If we were to talk about the most famous dog in Japan, it would undoubtedly be Hachikō. Although we can no longer see him, a statue was erected in his honor at Shibuya Station, which continues to attract many tourists visiting Tokyo. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Hachikō's birth, prompting television stations to produce special features, including rare photographs of Hachikō during his lifetime.
Hachikō was an Akita dog born in November 1923, renowned for his unwavering loyalty to his owner, Professor Hidesaburō Ueno. Hachikō was born on a farm in Odate, Akita Prefecture, and was initially named "Hachi". In 1924, he was brought to Shibuya, Tokyo by Professor Ueno, where they formed a deep bond. Every day, Hachikō would go to Shibuya Station to greet his owner upon his return from work. Tragically, in 1925, Professor Ueno passed away due to a cerebral hemorrhage at work. From that moment on, Hachikō continued to wait at the station every day for his owner who would never return.
Once people learned about Hachikō's story, a statue was commissioned during his lifetime. This statue has since become a famous landmark in Shibuya, attracting numerous tourists who come to take photos with it. Additionally, shops selling Hachikō merchandise have become quite popular.
In 2023, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Hachikō's birth, an exhibition titled "Hachikō 100th Anniversary Commemoration" was held in Shibuya. The exhibition not only detailed the meeting between Hachikō and his owner but also showcased some interesting facts and memorabilia about him. A highlight of the exhibition was the display of rare photographs taken while Hachikō was still alive. Among the most precious were two photos: one frontal and one side view. Staff members noted that these photographs are invaluable for future sculpting or 3D modeling projects. One photo was confirmed to have been taken on the evening of March 10, 1934, just a year before Hachikō's death during a fundraising event.
Another significant photo featured Hachikō alongside his statue. This photograph is particularly rare because the statue was completed only 11 months after Hachikō's passing. Given the brief overlap between the two events, photos from this time period are exceedingly rare; only about two or three exist today.
One such photo shows three children with Hachikō. This family had traveled from Kobe to Tokyo specifically to see the famous dog. According to the photo's owner, the three individuals are their father and his brothers. It is remarkable to think about how long ago this was; they even used a piece of meat to attract Hachikō for this precious photograph.
