benson…I told you yesterday that we would discuss dogs here today and not cats. I had an Akita when I lived in Chicago. Here’s a story about the most loyal dog in the world. You have to go to Shibuya station and see the statue…
In 1924, HachikÅ was brought to Tokyo by his owner, HidesaburÅ Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo. During his owner’s life HachikÅ saw him off from the front door and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno didn’t return on the usual train one evening. The professor had suffered a stroke at the university that day. He died and never returned to the train station where his friend was waiting.
HachikÅ was given away after his master’s death, but he routinely escaped, showing up again and again at his old home. After time, HachikÅ apparently realized that Professor Ueno no longer lived at the house. So he went to look for his master at the train station where he had accompanied him so many times before. Each day, HachikÅ waited for Professor Ueno to return. And each day he didn’t see his friend among the commuters at the station.
The permanent fixture at the train station that was HachikÅ attracted the attention of other commuters. Many of the people who frequented the Shibuya train station had seen HachikÅ and Professor Ueno together each day. Realizing that HachikÅ waited in vigil for his dead master, their hearts were touched. They brought HachikÅ treats and food to nourish him during his wait.
This continued for 10 years, with HachikÅ appearing only in the evening time, precisely when the train was due at the station
HachikÅ died on March 8, 1935, of filariasis (heartworm). His stuffed and mounted remains are kept at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo.
In April 1934, a bronze statue in his likeness was erected at Shibuya Station, and HachikÅ himself was present at its unveiling. The statue was recycled for the war effort during World War II. After the war, HachikÅ was not forgotten. In 1948 The Society for Recreating the HachikÅ Statue commissioned Takeshi Ando, son of the original artist who had since died, to make a second statue. The new statue, which was erected in August 1948, still stands and is an extremely popular meeting spot. The station entrance near this statue is named “HachikÅ-guchi”, meaning “The HachikÅ Exit”, and is one of Shibuya Station’s five exits.
And I just learned this yesterday….
Hachiko: A Dog’s Story, to be released in August 2009, is an American movie starring actor Richard Gere, directed by Lasse Hallström, about HachikÅ and his relationship with the professor. The movie is being filmed in Rhode Island, and will also feature actresses Joan Allen and Sarah Roemer. The role of Hachiko, the Akita is played by Forest
Here’s the link to see Hachiko’s picture and a photo of him today, stuffed, in the museum..
benson, you looked different than I envisioned but I thought you had a very classic, New York look. It was right out of a James Cagney movie. You were really fun to talk to. And thanks for the award for “looks completely different than I expected”!
Mr. B, benson is right. You deserve many thanks for allowing us to use your blog to organize these get togethers and for bringing us together in the first place. And I have to say that Mrs. B is such a warm, outgoing, beautiful person. We met at the last gathering and it is so much fun to talk to her.
Thank you Biff for organizing the get-together. This was the first I attended, and I really enjoyed it. I think thanks should also go to Mr. B., whose site ultimately makes this all possible.
I enjoyed meeting everyone, and there is never enough time to chat with everyone. Some random observations:
-In the “looks completely different than I expected” category, my winner is: Biff! I had a completely different image of him. Fear not, Biff – you look much better in real life than I had imagined you.
-In the “looks just like I expected” category, my winner is Bay Ridge Girl, my new best friend. I love BRG’s classic Brooklyn accent – took me back to all the folks I grew up with. I told BRG I know her from somewhere, but I can’t place where. By the way,BRG: I still cannot believe that you have never been to Gravesend!!! It is only a 2 mile drive down Bay Ridge Parkway!!!
-I was surprised that some posters are more reserved in person than their on-line persona. It seems that Sam’s observation was right: for some folks, their on-line persona is an alter ego. Not me (or at least I think so). What you see with me on-line is what you get!
-Speaking of Sam, I was sorry that he and Bxgrl were not there.
-I am happy to report that the right-wing ranks are growing on Brownstoner. We now have 3 people: myself, Christopher and now: Etson! How about that? A 200% increase in a few short months!
I’m off travelling on business for the next two weeks. Hope to post, but if I can’t, I’ll see you soon.
I have to give Alex and Simon props for showing up. Yes, it appears that they are real people. Favorable responses to them all around! [I just ‘gawked’ – didn’t speak with them.]
Rob, don’t be a shit disturber! 🙂
OK…so where’s the lurker who showed up and said she had never logged in before??? Scary!!!!!!
biff i felt bad for you when you expressed your deepest sadness and regret that 11217 couldnt make it. 🙁
*rob*
benson…I told you yesterday that we would discuss dogs here today and not cats. I had an Akita when I lived in Chicago. Here’s a story about the most loyal dog in the world. You have to go to Shibuya station and see the statue…
In 1924, HachikÅ was brought to Tokyo by his owner, HidesaburÅ Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo. During his owner’s life HachikÅ saw him off from the front door and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno didn’t return on the usual train one evening. The professor had suffered a stroke at the university that day. He died and never returned to the train station where his friend was waiting.
HachikÅ was given away after his master’s death, but he routinely escaped, showing up again and again at his old home. After time, HachikÅ apparently realized that Professor Ueno no longer lived at the house. So he went to look for his master at the train station where he had accompanied him so many times before. Each day, HachikÅ waited for Professor Ueno to return. And each day he didn’t see his friend among the commuters at the station.
The permanent fixture at the train station that was HachikÅ attracted the attention of other commuters. Many of the people who frequented the Shibuya train station had seen HachikÅ and Professor Ueno together each day. Realizing that HachikÅ waited in vigil for his dead master, their hearts were touched. They brought HachikÅ treats and food to nourish him during his wait.
This continued for 10 years, with HachikÅ appearing only in the evening time, precisely when the train was due at the station
HachikÅ died on March 8, 1935, of filariasis (heartworm). His stuffed and mounted remains are kept at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo.
In April 1934, a bronze statue in his likeness was erected at Shibuya Station, and HachikÅ himself was present at its unveiling. The statue was recycled for the war effort during World War II. After the war, HachikÅ was not forgotten. In 1948 The Society for Recreating the HachikÅ Statue commissioned Takeshi Ando, son of the original artist who had since died, to make a second statue. The new statue, which was erected in August 1948, still stands and is an extremely popular meeting spot. The station entrance near this statue is named “HachikÅ-guchi”, meaning “The HachikÅ Exit”, and is one of Shibuya Station’s five exits.
And I just learned this yesterday….
Hachiko: A Dog’s Story, to be released in August 2009, is an American movie starring actor Richard Gere, directed by Lasse Hallström, about HachikÅ and his relationship with the professor. The movie is being filmed in Rhode Island, and will also feature actresses Joan Allen and Sarah Roemer. The role of Hachiko, the Akita is played by Forest
Here’s the link to see Hachiko’s picture and a photo of him today, stuffed, in the museum..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D
“Yes, chicken. Simon is. Nice to meet you.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 20, 2009 9:52 AM”
You too DIBS (sorry, will call you Dave in real life but has to be DIBS on the interweb)!
So, TV people are real people? Who’da thunk it?
benson, you looked different than I envisioned but I thought you had a very classic, New York look. It was right out of a James Cagney movie. You were really fun to talk to. And thanks for the award for “looks completely different than I expected”!
Mr. B, benson is right. You deserve many thanks for allowing us to use your blog to organize these get togethers and for bringing us together in the first place. And I have to say that Mrs. B is such a warm, outgoing, beautiful person. We met at the last gathering and it is so much fun to talk to her.
Hi folks;
Thank you Biff for organizing the get-together. This was the first I attended, and I really enjoyed it. I think thanks should also go to Mr. B., whose site ultimately makes this all possible.
I enjoyed meeting everyone, and there is never enough time to chat with everyone. Some random observations:
-In the “looks completely different than I expected” category, my winner is: Biff! I had a completely different image of him. Fear not, Biff – you look much better in real life than I had imagined you.
-In the “looks just like I expected” category, my winner is Bay Ridge Girl, my new best friend. I love BRG’s classic Brooklyn accent – took me back to all the folks I grew up with. I told BRG I know her from somewhere, but I can’t place where. By the way,BRG: I still cannot believe that you have never been to Gravesend!!! It is only a 2 mile drive down Bay Ridge Parkway!!!
-I was surprised that some posters are more reserved in person than their on-line persona. It seems that Sam’s observation was right: for some folks, their on-line persona is an alter ego. Not me (or at least I think so). What you see with me on-line is what you get!
-Speaking of Sam, I was sorry that he and Bxgrl were not there.
-I am happy to report that the right-wing ranks are growing on Brownstoner. We now have 3 people: myself, Christopher and now: Etson! How about that? A 200% increase in a few short months!
I’m off travelling on business for the next two weeks. Hope to post, but if I can’t, I’ll see you soon.
Thanks chicken! Much appreciated.
I have to give Alex and Simon props for showing up. Yes, it appears that they are real people. Favorable responses to them all around! [I just ‘gawked’ – didn’t speak with them.]
biff – indeed i will, but incognito. Asshat#9 perhaps.