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Beyond Hachikō: Japan’s Many Tributes to Faithful Canines

  • At left, statues of Taro and Jiro are on display in Nagoya port in front of the Antarctic exploration ship Fuji. At right is a photograph of Taro (left) and Jiro (right). (© Jiji)

    At left, statues of Taro and Jiro are on display in Nagoya port in front of the Antarctic exploration ship Fuji. At right is a photograph of Taro (left) and Jiro (right). (© Jiji)

  • The 15 bronze statues at the NIPR (left) were made by Andō Takeshi, the same artist who made the statue of Hachikō outside Shibuya Station (© Amano Hisaki). The picture at right shows the statues as they were outside the entrance to Tokyo Tower (© Jiji).

    The 15 bronze statues at the NIPR (left) were made by Andō Takeshi, the same artist who made the statue of Hachikō outside Shibuya Station (© Amano Hisaki). The picture at right shows the statues as they were outside the entrance to Tokyo Tower (© Jiji).

  • The statue of Bunkō stands near the entrance to the former Otaru Warehouse, built in 1893. (© Pixta)

    The statue of Bunkō stands near the entrance to the former Otaru Warehouse, built in 1893. (© Pixta)

  • There were stories about how Bunkō learned to board the fire truck and get down on command. (Courtesy of the Otaru City Fire Headquarters)

    There were stories about how Bunkō learned to board the fire truck and get down on command. (Courtesy of the Otaru City Fire Headquarters)

  • Bunkō’s statue sports a scarf given by a resident. (© Yoshida Rieko)

    Bunkō’s statue sports a scarf given by a resident. (© Yoshida Rieko)

  • At left, on the anniversary of Bunkō's death each year, residents offer up her favorite treat of caramels (© Yoshida Rieko). At right is the mounted body of Bunkō on display (courtesy of the Otaru Museum of History and Nature).

    At left, on the anniversary of Bunkō's death each year, residents offer up her favorite treat of caramels (© Yoshida Rieko). At right is the mounted body of Bunkō on display (courtesy of the Otaru Museum of History and Nature).

  • The Hishaku Dōji statue in front of Ise Sekiya Honten. (Courtesy of Ise Sekiya Honten)

    The Hishaku Dōji statue in front of Ise Sekiya Honten. (Courtesy of Ise Sekiya Honten)

  • An ukiyo-e by Utagawa Hiroshige, Yokkaichi, Hinagamura oiwake, sangūdō (Yokkaichi: The Junction of the Road to Ise Shrine at Hinaga), includes an okageinu in front of the torii. (Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art New York City, United States)

    An ukiyo-e by Utagawa Hiroshige, Yokkaichi, Hinagamura oiwake, sangūdō (Yokkaichi: The Junction of the Road to Ise Shrine at Hinaga), includes an okageinu in front of the torii. (Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art New York City, United States)

  • At left, a modern day okageinu out for a walk through Okage Yokochō; at right, the hugely popular Okageinu Phone Strap souvenir. (Courtesy of Okage Yokochō)

    At left, a modern day okageinu out for a walk through Okage Yokochō; at right, the hugely popular Okageinu Phone Strap souvenir. (Courtesy of Okage Yokochō)

  • A monument to Chirori and her pups at the entrance to the park, near the nursing home where she served as a therapy dog. (© Amano Hisaki)

    A monument to Chirori and her pups at the entrance to the park, near the nursing home where she served as a therapy dog. (© Amano Hisaki)

  • Hasegawa Satokichi, at right, nuzzling Chirori. After Chirori’s comfort helped him through rehabilitation, he recovered from needing intensive nursing care to being able to stand on his own. Ōki Tōru is at left. (Courtesy of the International Therapy Dog Association)

    Hasegawa Satokichi, at right, nuzzling Chirori. After Chirori’s comfort helped him through rehabilitation, he recovered from needing intensive nursing care to being able to stand on his own. Ōki Tōru is at left. (Courtesy of the International Therapy Dog Association)

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