Hachi-Ko: The Samurai Dog

by Shizuko O. Koster

Hachi-Ko, the samurai dog of Japan, became a celebrity in Tokyo during the turbulent 1930s. He was honored by a statue and a special celebration with thousands of guests even while he was living as a wild street dog in a drainpipe. Once the cherished pet of Professor Eizaburo Ueno, Hachi-Ko won fame among young and old for his undying loyalty to the memory of his master. He returned like clockwork to meet the commuter train at Shibuya Train Station at the same time every day for seven years, despite battles with delinquents, dogcatchers, and vicious strays who threatened him and his friends. Faithful to his death, Hachi-Ko is famous even today as the Akita samurai dog of Japan. Shizuko O. Koster, author of the award-winning non-fiction story The Day Mother Sold the Family Swords, ventures back to her mother s generation to tell the whole story of Tokyo s four-legged Hachi-Ko.

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Japan, Media Tie In, Biography, History, Dogs

102 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2007

Reviews

[Saranya ⋆☕︎ ˖ (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

No matter what... I'll never be able to stop crying while reading this

[Shaunaly Higgins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this story to my children and never made it though without at least two boxes of tissues at hand. A heartfelt read and one that will live within your heart forever. Oh, and every time you pass an Akita... you will miss Hachi :(

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

After I read this book, I was crying a lot because how loyal the dog is to his owner. Hachi is just a dog that got lost in the train station and was found by a proffessor. The proffessor goes to the train station with hachi every single day day until proffessor died. Hachi the loyal dog kept on waiting in the train station for proffessor for nine years until he died. What I learned in this book is to be very loyal.

[Yonah Huttenbach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hachi-Ko: the Samurai Dog is a story about a dog named Hachi and his owner. Hachi was send from a temple in Japan to America. At a station the cage that Hachi was in fell and broke. Hachi, then, was wondering around the station when he was found by a man that was coming home from work. The man then took him home and took care of him. They build a great friendship together over the years. Everyday, Hachi was a loyal dog and meet his master at the train station upon his arrival after his day at work. One day his mater died and did not return home, however, the dog remained loyal and waited at the station and waited for his return.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

My opinion on this book is that the book is well known, and this book is based on a true story. I liked the book but the story was quite sad and lonely for the dog(Hachi).

Hachi was left alone when his owner passed away near the shibuya trainstation. After Hachi's death he was statued for his majority. I already watcged the movie too. The book and the movie was quite similar. I think the movie is better to watch!

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dogs are the most loving and loyal companions! I have shared my heart and my home with several canine children. This is a beautiful story that illustrates why dog owners across the world choose to suffer the heartache of our dogs' loss in our lives-because of the great joy they also bring to our lives.

(This story was brought to life in the movie adaption "Hachi" starring Richard Gere.)

[Elizabeth Matteson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful, heart-warming story of a man and his very devoted dog. I am not a true lover of dogs because I am allergic to them so I can't have one, but I thoroughly enjoyed this love story. I read the book in one sitting after teaching school one day because it had come in my Scholastic book club order.

[Renuga Tharumaraju · Rating 5 out of 5]

its based on true story... it really touch my heart and i cried for the story. even i watched the movie twice. feel like wanna have a dog by my side.. hahaha.Hachiko the dong that loyal to his owner. real amazing.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful and enlightening story.

[Karrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Haichi! It shows how much a dog that was more than just a pet how much they can love thier humans.

[Yousif Naeemy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hachiko is the best example of the loyal to a lot of people

[Saturday's Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story about one of Japan's best known dogs as well a bit of history about the Akita dog breed. It is a great little read.

[Marsha Herman-Betzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cried when I read the book and ugly cried with my husband when we saw the movie.

[Haylee]

I love the movie but only thing is.... that I cryed the wholemovie my pellow was drenched

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not posses the words to describe or share this book! I haven't been touched by a book as I was with this one for a very long time. This is based on actual happenings. Hachi is a samurai dog. He starts his life living in dreadful situations, but one day is found by a business man. Hachi's life changes forever. Just that part of the book will bring kleenx beside the reader. What happens afterward will empty the kleenx box. Hachi returns for years to the train station where he has always met his master. There is a statue built in Hachi's honor. I enjoyed the book so much, but my eyes were swollen and red by the time I finished the book.

[Tylerclem · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me cry. For the first time and only this book. I can relate to this story because I have a dog. After reading this book, I'm kinda avoiding reading or even watching movies about dogs or cats and animals. I can't cry by reading or watching movies. However, I will cry a lot if the book/movie is about animals. This book made me think about how I should spend more time with my dog. I was living in a different place so I couldn't really spend time with him. But now, I can. I hate to say but his getting old and we don't have much time left...... I should be with him.

[Todd Jacobucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of the film Hachi: A Dog's Tale. I read the story was based on the dog Hachiko from Japan, so I read this book. It turns out the book is just as interesting as the movie was. What Hachiko did was incredible. It's great he's still remembered and honored, 80 plus years after his passing. This is a good read, especially good if you know and understand the beautiful relationship between a dog and his master.

[Brad · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book beautifully captures the essence of unwavering love and loyalty, painting a bond so profound it transcends words. It moved me deeply, turning moments of awe into powerful tears of admiration and emotion. Hachi’s story is a testament to the purest form of devotion, one that lingers in your heart long after the final page. The movie too made me tear up haha! Soo good

[Pascal · Rating 5 out of 5]

.😭

[Frances Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good story, but the author's first language is not English. Consequently, the writing is stilted. The book may have been intended for children. It is written rather childishly.

[Fire Fly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this, I never wanted to put the book down.

[Kezia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true story that melts your soul and teaches you life through different radiance of love, a heart breaking story of a stranger dog turning to a pet to a friend and a loyal servant to his master, would love him even until death. I read the book and also saw the movie. You'd like them both. What's not seen in the book is shown in the movie and whats not felt through reading it word by word is not touched by the movie so I guess you can vouch for both.

[Alba · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is book have a good weft