This is an article which will be used for ESL, TOEIC, TOEFL and IELTS as well as a “Let’s Talk” topic at Smith’s School of English – Koenji
The movie “Hachi – A Dog’s Story” is a wonderful movie. It is a US version re-make of the Japanese movie “Hachiko Monogatari”
The original story about Hachiko starts with its birth in Odate northern Japan and its re-location with its master, Hidesaburo Ueno – a Tokyo University professor – to Shibuya.
Each morning Hachiko would farewell the professor when he left for work and come to meet him at the same time each night at the Shibuya railway station.
The recent re-make, directed by Lasse Hallstrom, is set in Rhode Island USA and stars Richard Gere as the professor. Gere said that the first time he read the movie script he cried and that he also cried when he read it again, so he knew that he should get involved in it.
When Gere visited Tokyo for the movie’s premier he was taken to Shibuya to see the statue of Hachiko which is in Hachiko Square. He later remarked that it was a very emotionally charged moment when he met the statue’s sculptor.
This is a real tear jerking movie, with tender moments and a heart wrenching finale.
Go see it, it’s a winner.
Hachiko’s legendary faithfulness is revered as a national symbol of loyalty. Chuken Hachiko -faithful dog Hachiko is the way it is referred to in Japanese.
The stuffed and mounted remains of Hachiko can be viewed at the National Science Museum of Japan which is located in Ueno.
Please don’t forget to access our Free Mini Lessons (スミス英会話無料レッスン) each week, it’s a great way to improve your English and to extend your speaking time during your lesson.
Ken
Smith’s School of English
Koenji
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