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Book Review of Hachiko Waits

Hachiko Waits
reviewed on + 3559 more book reviews


Hachiko, a beautiful golden brown Akita pup is the loved and revered pet of his owner, Professor Ueno. The curly tailed dog was named Hachi because Professor Ueno considered the Japanese character for the number of 8 fortunate. This is his 8th Akita and he feels the dog has very special qualities. Professor Ueno and his dog walked to the commuter station each morning. Hachiko would trot back to the Shibuya station every afternoon at 3:00. The station master said that one could set their clock by Hachiko.

In May of 1925, some 15 months after buying Hachiko, Professor Ueno died suddenly at work. His loyal dog continued to wait at the train station for him, even though others made overtures to him. The fictional subplot of Yasuo, a young boy who first sees the dog and meets Professor Ueno at age 5 and his partial ownership of the dog when his owner dies is moving and lovely. So are the beautiful illustrations that grace this book.

This is a wonderful book about cultural sharing; I like the way Japanese words are included along with a glossary and a thumbnail history of Japanese foods and traditions.

This is a beautiful book that might make you cry, but it is well worth the read. People of all ages will love the gentle Professor and his loyal Akita who never gave up waiting for his owner to return.

In 1935 Hachiko was immemorialized in statue form as the symbol of unflagging devotion. Hachiko, like another curly tailed dog, the malamute Balto, who in 1925 braved an Alaskan blizzard to bring in a shipment of medicine share a history of being immemorialized in statue form and were recognized for their unflagging spirits.