Hachiko: The True Story of the Royal Dogs of Japan and One Faithful Akita

by Julie Chrystyn

Once upon a time, there was a dog whose loyalty to his master was so great that he became the hero of an entire nation. But this dog was real, and his story is true! Every morning Hachiko would walk his owner— a professor at the University of Tokyo— to the Shibuya train station, and every evening he would return to greet the train and walk the professor home. One day his owner suffered a stroke and died, and Hachiko was given away. But Hachiko continued to look for his master at the train station, appearing each evening precisely when the train was due at the station. This continued for 10 years until Hachiko himself passed away. After his death, Hachiko’ s legend spread far and wide in Japan. The story of perfect loyalty and devotion made Hachiko a beloved icon to this day. Here is the story of this marvelous dog, as well as an informative look at dog culture in Japan and the history and tradition of the Akita-ken, one of the most ancient, beloved, and faithful dog breeds ever.

Genres: Japan

53 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2009

Reviews

[Ivano Parravano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a biography about a dog named Hachiko. Hachiko lived in Japan with his master. Each day, the dog would go to the train station with his master and wait for his return. One day, the owner did not return and Hachiko was given away. He found his way back to the train station to wait for his master where passengers would feed him or pet him daily. This book has lots of illustrations but none of the actual dog. It is appropriate for all children because the story is suitable and contains lots of facts and pictures.

[Terrence]

Hachiko is a name that is the number 8. Hachiko was well behaved and always listen to his master. Hachiko always wait till he came back. But he never came back. Many people see him lying on the floor waiting for his master. A 10 years old boy named Yasuo comes and feeds Hachiko some food to eat. His master is very loyal to Hachiko. Yasuo take Hachiko home and keeps him safe and sound. Then he runs back to meet his master. He still never came back. Many people keep telling Hachiko that he has past away from old age. He still waits. Hachiko waits than he past away. That was what happened.

[Donna Hartz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thought there would be a story about a real relationship between owner and dog. Only basically about how dog saw owner off and greeted daily and after owner died keeps vigil. Now looks like going to be discussion of dog breeds. You will not get story in Richard Here movie. Stopped reading and deleting from my reader.

[brian dunphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hachiko a great story

I have been a huge fan of Hachiko and his life. It's a story of love and loyalty that will shed more than one tear to your eyes. I highly recommend this beautiful story.

[D Givens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Highly recommend.

[Kathryn Brennan]

Full of interesting stories about the famous Japanese dog however it was very disappointing to find that apart from the picture of the pup on the cover she uses only illustrations of the American type Akita and none of the pure Japanese Akita inu? Many of the pictures used in her book are terrible examples of the Akita breed. She wrote herself that the Akita inu was the original Japanese dog and the American type came from breeding with the German Shepard so why does she give 99% coverage to the American? I find this in almost every Akita book I read! Maybe its an American thing? they seem to find it hard to accept that the Akita inu a very different dog than the dog they have bred? Or maybe the American Akita breeders don't want to give the Japanese Akita inu breed any coverage? Either way im sick of the American Akita being used to show an example of how an Akita inu should look!

[Estherh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is called Hachiko: the true story of the royal dogs of Japan and one Faithful Akita, written by Julie Chrystyn. I give this book a rate of 4 out of 5. I felt warm hearted when the college music/performing arts professor decided to keep Hachiko instead of leaving Hachiko in the trains station. I agreed how the professor decided to keep the Hachiko because if not then the dog will be left alone in the station. I enjoyed reading this book, and it was hard to put down. I liked the characters because they were interesting and made me intrigued to read the book. The book was set in New york city a few years earlier than now. This book is written in first person, it is not written in diary format and its not a graphic novel. I like this book because I think the storyline is quite different from other books which caught my eye.

[Darlene Wehrlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book - I read it to my class every spring- too bad the movie is not so closely tied to the book- but Richard Gere is worth the watch

[Dany · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think the book was awfull and sad. This is so because Hichi spent most of his life looking for his master and then died at the train station.I would recommend this book to people who would love sad, happy endings. The most terrible thing about this book is that it it a true story. This book ,for me is an one star rating. If you read it, try not to cry like I did.

[Ernest · Rating 5 out of 5]

I assume that this would be a great book,especially for dog lovers.

[Rocio · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh
Only 1/3 of the book of of Hachiko, and u read it in about 40min, so ...........
No no no, too short a story and to generic, so no no no :(

[Entika Hima · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book of Hachiko a dog's story is the real story of dog. When I reading this book and watching this film, I cry. I love this book!

[Sandeep · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow what an faithful dog
So excited to know more about Hachiko