December, 1923
Odate Town Akita Prefecture
I'm Kakita from the agricultural engineering section
It's some blizzard
How's it going?
It'll probably take till morning
Let's go and see
They are borned yet?
- Thanks - Make yourself comfortable
The male is purebred from Onoda Gorozaemon's place
It'll be a fine litter
Our chief engineer, Mr. Mase, was asked by his mentor
Professor Ueno Hidejiro of Tokyo
To find him an Akita puppy
When Aka was born
We had a snowstorm for three days and nights
We almost thought our house would collapse
They are borned
HACHI-KO MONOGATARI
When you suddenly yelled out, "They are born!"
I thought your wife had given birth
I've already got five kids
I couldn't handle another one
Here's the house
Professor Ueno is one of our country"s
Top agricultural engineers
And he's very' fond of dogs
When I visited him last year, he had just lost his dog
A female Akita... not a purebred though
Please come
He mentioned then that he wanted a purebred next time
He'll be overjoyed
I'll notify him right away
May I use the phone?
Right here
I'd like Tokyo please
Tokyo, Aoyama... number is 2007
Coming!
His daughter is another dog lover
It's a Mr. Mase from the Akita prefectural office
Hello, this is Chizuko
My parents are in Hakone at Tonosawa Hot Springs
They go there every' year
I'll be happy to take a message
Yes?
A dog?
An Akita?
You're giving it to us?
That's wonderful!
It was born this morning
A fine looking pup!
Today is December 16th
So after the new year...
Yes. I'll call my father right away
Thank you so much!
We're going to get an Akita puppy!
A dog, again?
What do you mean "again"?
It's a purebred Akita!
I must call Father. What's the number in Hakone?
Look, a singing frog
Welcome back
Your daughter is on the line
Really?
Shall I put the call through to your room?
Thank
A man from the Akita prefectural office ...what was his name?
Mase
Right! Mr. Mase called
A beautiful Akita puppy was born this morning
He said that you had asked for one
Not really...
But Mase was there when Gonsuke died
He said he'd send me an Akita
So I just asked him to keep us in mind
No more dogs
Yes, well... it was a sad-time when Gonsuke died
Even you cried
So let's not get another dog
It's too late to refuse!
Mr. Mase really wants us to have it
If you don't want it, I'll take care of it!
I've always wanted a purebred Akita
She says that, but I'm the one who'll have to take care of it
Even when she found Gonsuke in front of the train station
I had to do everything
And I hate dogs!
I hate cats AND dogs
You promised me when Gonsuke died that
We wouldn't have any more dogs
But Chizuko insists
Well, I'm opposed to it
It's a purebred this time
Purebred or mixed
I don't want to go through that sadness again
Chizuko says she'll take care of it
Look, it's snowing
Stay healthy now
I hope they like him
Take care
I'm going out. Don't forget to pick up the dog
- I pick up the dog. - Yes
What's going on?
I intended to go to the station with you
But I changed my mind an hour ago
I'm going to a concert at Hiblya Park
Excuse me!
It's Tsumoru!
I'll be right down!
I...
I'm sorry'!
That's an idea
She's always so fickle
Kiku!
He's not here
Where is he? It's urgent
Oops! Sorry'!
Hey, don't break it, will you?
I'm right here
Kiku...
What's the big rush?
There's a dog arriving at 3P. M. at Shibuya Station
Another one besides Gonsuke?
Gonsuke died last year
He did?
You're right... I took him to the crematory' myself
If it's from Akita, it must be an Akita breed
With a tail that curls tight
Sorry' to interrupt
I'm against having a dog
But Miss Chizuko loves them
People who love animals are kind
You hate dogs because
It's always your duty to clean the doghouse
Miss Chizuko is so mean
She was supposed to go to the station with me
But suddenly, she changed her mind to go to a concert
That fellow... her fiance came
Naturally! She'd prefer him to a dog
Will you go to the station with me?
Go alone!
I'm afraid of dogs
That face of yours would scare dogs more
I'll bet you're afraid of dogs too
Come off it! At least a dog is better than a cat
Feed a dog for three days and it'll be loyal for life
But you can feed a cat for three years
And it still won't care a whit!
Saikichi, let's go!
There's a box... where was it from?
Odate
It's from Odate... a dog
The dog?
Here you are
Your seal, please
I don't have it with me
Look! This is for Ueno Hidejiro
Don't you know Professor Ueno?
I do, but...
Well, you should! He's a famous agricultural engineer
I'll get the seal, Kiku
Never mind
Recognize my face?
No
What kind of clerk are you?!
Kiku of Inarizaka is pretty well known in this area
Remember that, blockhead!
- Now do you still need my seal? - Yes
Your head's full of lead! Like the railroad tracks!
Your thumbprint will do
Why didn't you say so from the start!
It's dead
Hey! The railway company will pay for this!
What's the matter?
The dog they sent from Akita is dead
The railway company's to blame!
Is it really dead?
And I'm not taking a dead dog!
When live animals are transported
The railway company is not responsible if it dies
Welcome home
What about the dog?
Sailichi went to pick it up
Didn't Chizuko go?
She went to a concert with Mr. Morlyama
Such a bad omen at the start of a new year
Another dog's funeral
Bound to happen... after riding a shaky train for two days
Thanks, Kiku
Hey Prof...
The pup's dead
What's the matter, pup?
Get some milk
Poor little thing
I guess the journey was too long
That's why I was against this
It's dead, Prof...
It's alive!
It's drinking
I'm home!
You're home?
Is the puppy here?
The puppy's here
- You've been back? - I am back.
Is the puppy here?
Welcome home
I'll go and see it
Welcome!
You traveled so far
Good boy!
Father...
You'll be responsible for the puppy
It's not about the puppy
What is it?
About Tsumoru...
I hear you went to a concert with him today
He has something to discuss with you
I know what he wants
He wants me to get another friend into college
But I don't believe in backdoor admissions
It's not about that
What then?
I'm free this coming Sunday
It has to be tonight
Tonight?
Yes
All right
Where is he?
Outside
Outside?
He's waiting outside
How rude!
Why didn't you tell us?
Shall I call him?
Of course!
Please sit
Has he eaten?
He doesn't want any
Why didn't you show him in?
It was very' thoughtless of you
Yes?
Yes
Go on
Yes
I'm listening
Well...
Yes?
Chizuko is with child
And... I'm responsible
Are you angry'?
Well, after hearing whose child it is
My blood pressure has gone down
And so...
I'd like to ask for her hand in marriage
I see. Thank you
Under the circumstances
I think it's best to have the ceremony right away
Have a nice day
How's the dog?
You're looking healthy
You don't have a name yet
Please don't choose a name like Gonsuke again
But you can't go nameless
Let's see... your forelegs are firmly grounded
Just like the character for number eight
So we'll name you Hachi as in 8
Like it, Hachi?
We just got an Akita dog. Will you take it in?
Not for me
You're born in the year of the monkey?
No, the boar
A former student now at the Akita prefectural office
Sent it to me
My daughter wanted to keep it
But she'll be getting married soon
She is your only daughter, isn't she?
Yes
I had hoped to adopt a son-in-law
But her fiance is also an only child
So it won't work
They're getting married in a bit of a hurry'
On the 29th of this month
Will you honor us by attending?
Certainly
And you also
Ueno Chizuko
Do you take this man
To be your lawfully wedded husband?
To have and to hold
To love and to cherish
To honor and obey
In sickness and in health till death to you part?
I do
Chizuko didn't even shed a tear
I noticed your eyes were watery' though
When she said good bye from the train window
The sadness suddenly hit me
That my little girl was being taken away
Were they tears of bitterness then?
Tears of bitterness, joy, sadness... all at once
I guess they've checked into the inn by now
It was their honeymoon
They could've gone farther than Atami
Tsumoru wanted to save money
He's very' stingy for his age
But to think she was pregnant
She'd have gotten pregnant sooner or later
It was just sooner
I was quite shocked by the whole thing
What amazed me was the way she said
"I'm not taking the dog"
So bluntly, right before Morlyama
When she offered all her love to Morlyama
I couldn't help but stare at her
He was quite speechless too, so I guess it worked
Chizuko was only saying what was in her heart
I wonder?
Of course
What will you do about Hachi?
Chizuko asked me to take care of it
I'm against it
You're pretty adamant
I'm not willing to share your love either
Spin three times and bark!
Spin three times!
Spin and bark!
Dumb dog!
Ogata!
Don't tease the dog!
He's only a pup. He doesn't know any tricks yet
Besides, I don't keep dogs so they can perform tricks
Put yourself in the dog's place!
Hachi is hungry'! Hurry' and feed him!
You've already eaten, haven't you?
Have a nice trip
Watch Hachi while I'm away
How long will you be away?
They're cultivating the area now
I want to check the progress so about four or five days
Just as people have rights, canines have rights too
I'll respect Hachi's rights
Even if we're going to give him away
We must protect his rights while he's staying here
Have some tea, Sir
Hachi!
No! Hachi!
Sailichi!
My poor flowers!
Hachi, if you want your rights to be respected
Don't be so naughty!
Babies have excess energy
They can't sit still
How old is the little one?
Three months
Imagine! Becoming a father at his age!
I'm sorry'!
How's Hachi?
He's doing well
Hi Hachi!
I hear you ruined your mistress's garden
Welcome home
I think Hachi has grown
You've only been away five days
I see signs of intelligence in those eyes of yours, Hachi
Do you understand me?
What will you do about him?
It' better to give him away while he's small
Well Hachi?
Do you want to be our dog?
You want to stay?
All right. I won't send you anywhere
Fine day, isn't it?
Such a cute dog
Go on, Hachi
Good day
Isn't it hot?
He's growing so fast
Have a nice day
Thank you, Hachi
Now go on home
Hachi!
I hope you didn't chew on grass
Will you go to the station again this evening?
Gosh, it's so hot!
Dear, look
Good boy!
Waited for me, did you?
That's some dog
This is no good
Doesn't look like it'll stop
Wonder if the dog's here
He's waiting
Thank you
Good Hachi!
Thank you for coming, Hachi. Even in this snow
Father, happy new year
Happy new year
Same to you
Hasn't he grown big?
Here's your grandfather!
Was it all right to bring him in this cold weather?
That's what I said
Come inside, Chizuko
Hasn't Hachi grown so big?
Catching fleas suits you, Father!
This is number 33
Let me carry' him
Toru's gotten so heavy
He doesn't talk yet
Of course not. He's only three months old
Has Professor been at it since morning?
It's like a research project with him
That's how he is
Once he gets started he can't stop
I think Father loves Hachi more than his own grandson
Don't be silly
I heard Hachi accompanies him to the station daily
Yes
And goes back at sundown to meet him
Hachi doesn't wear a watch, but he knows the time
Go to sleep
Sleep well
Shall we play some cards?
Cards, huh?
Better still, run a bath for me
How is the water?
Just fine, thank you
He amazes me
Does he bathe with Hachi all the time?
Always... after catching the fleas
Better watch out, Mother
Or Hachi will take Father's love from you
Excuse me
You're good at it
Won't you join us?
No thank you
Hachi might catch cold, so close the window
You're soaking wet!
It's all right now
I didn't even notice a storm brewing
I'll warm you up in no time
Just you wait
Come over here where it's warm
Wait right here
Dear...
Hachi, are you all right?
What is it?
Is that all you can say?
Do you prefer Hachi to me?
What did you say?
There's a limit to all this!
21-May-25
What's the matter, Hachi?
Let's go
Come on
Good boy
Now go on home
Good morning
Hachi! Settle down!
Hachi!
You're barking so much
What's the matter?
The second stage can be recognized
In the flooding that occurs every' five or ten years
This circumstance is unusual
The third stage would be
The most critical range
So called the pro...
Probable maximum
This probable...
Professor!
Someone, quick!
It's too late
Hachi!
With the professor gone, this house is too big for me
So I'll be going to live with Chizuko
Why don't they come to here to live?
Chizuko thinks this house is too dreary'
She is so indifferent
She was born in this house, wasn't she?
I still sense my husband's presence in this house...
And sometimes, it gets unbearable
I plan to sell this house
You two have worked here for many years
But I must let you go now
It's not much, but I'll pay you half a year's salary
So please start giving some thought to your future
I'll go back home to Narashino
Sailichi?
I think I'll return to Shizuoka
I'd like you to have a memento of the professor
Is there anything you want in particular?
I'd like his hat
The fedora?
No, the silk hat
All right
And you, Oyoshi?
I'd like a pair of his shoes
For your father?
If I ever marry' and have a son
I'll let him wear it
And tell him that it belonged to the good professor
When he went on his walks, I loved to watch his back
Hachi...
Good bye, Hachi
Please take care of yourself
Thank you
Thank you for everything
Take care
Missus!
Are you taking Hachi?
Chizuko says that seeing Hachi
Will only remind her of her father
I have an uncle in Asakusa
I thought I'd ask him to take Hachi in
I see... Maybe that's for the best
- Hello! - Hello!
I took a day off from the office to help with the moving
So did I. Let's do it then
What shall we do with Father's books?
I'll have no use for books on agriculture and cultivation
Take it to the used books shop
Anyway, come in
I was in a dilemma about where to start first
Just get rid of anything old
I'll clean out his study
Kiku, can you help upstairs?
We've got a lot of young helpers
All strong and spirited
So we've got our hands full without any pets
But just leave him. I'll do what I can
Thank you
He eats anything people eat
One can never tell what the future holds
The professor was the picture of health, yet...
Hachi...
Be good now
Good bye
He knows
I wonder how Hachi is doing?
You're such a worrywart
I'm home
You're home
Didn't you eat yet?
Mother scolded me that I should wait for my husband
The foreign office keeps unusual hours
So next time, please don't wait for me
How about a bath?
I want dinner first
Your grandmother's here to stay, Toru
How was Hachi?
I left him with my uncle in Asakusa
Dinner's ready, so please wash up
How old is this house?
About 20 years
It belonged to a college professor?
Yes, an agriculture professor at Imperial University
He was world reknown
It's so nice and bright with all the windows
It's sturdy for an old house
And the price is right, don't you think?
The missus is a kind lady
Will she lower the price any more?
Hachi! What's the idea!
I thought you were in Asakusa
Are you all right?
I hate dogs!
It belonged to the late professor. His name's Hachi
If this dog's going to come around, I won't buy this house!
Don't worry'
This dog stays with a relative in Asakusa
You mean he walked from Asakusa to Shibuya?
I guess so. He wouldn't ride a train
Don't worry' about this dog
Just think about the house
If it's right, please buy it
Remember though, get rid of the dog!
That dog has no personality
Never reacts to a thing I say
Just turns around and starts to whine
He bites off the chain and runs away
Well, leave him here again
But if he runs away, that's it
Set that up next to the bureau
And don't scratch it!
Hachi!
You can't stay here!
That felt good!
I chopped up the doghouse for firewood
Such a fine day... perfect for moving
Hachi!
Wait!
Hachi, I want you to listen well
Your master is dead
And this house was sold to someone else
The new owner can't stand dogs
It's dangerous to wander about here
He'll chop your head off with his hatchet
Hachi...
Come to my house then
I don't care for dogs myself
But we've known each other a long time
Let's go, Hachi
London, England?
Yes, as a first secretary'
He'll attend to the new ambassador
Are you going too?
I'll be returning to my hometown in Wakayama
The professor's old home?
No... he had no other relatives
But my mother still lives
I remember... somewhere near the beach, was it?
Yes, a whaling town
Gee, I'd love to see a live whale spouting water!
About Hachi...
Are you taking him?
Can you take him in?
But we have a cat...
We'll take care of him
You said you didn't want a dog!
But Missus can't take Hachi
Why not?
Hachi was bred in Akita
I know that! So what?
Akita is a cold place
Wakayama is down south... where they catch whales
A dog from Akita couldn't adjust to the warm weather
I never met a woman who could talk more
Kiku, please take care of Hachi
I'd be so relieved if you'd agree
All right, I will
It's my way of repaying the late professor
Hachi's gone
Where'd he go?
Around this time, he's always at the train station...
Waiting by the exit
Hachi!
I'll get your ticket
Hachi...
Your master's not coming back any more
I'm going back to Wakayama
I've asked Kiku to take care of you
Good bye, Hachi
Let's go
Hachi...
I never thought you'd agree to take Hachi...
You hate dogs
You're such a fool
She has her mother to take care of back home
She couldn't take this big thing with her
That's true
Can't you understand simple human kindness?
Is that so? Well, don't brag so much!
You're getting senile lately!
Fool! How dare you say that to me?
What "fool"?!
You called me...
A 'fool' first...!
Dear! What's wrong?
Sorry' Hachi...
But I can't take you back with me
I have to take Sanae here
I've cancelled the lease for the house too
You can't stay here
Hachi...
You're strong, so don't lose to those stray dogs
You can be the leader of a pack
Hachi...
Stray dogs run free
So be free and live proud
Good bye
Take care
He must be waiting for his master
He doesn't realize that his master's dead
Admirable dog
He comes every' day at the same time
Such a dumb dog
You must be hungry'
Come... I'll give you something
What's the matter, Hachi?
Shiro died
Poor thing. He's so skinny
It's a year now
Waiting for a master who won't return
Watching him is painful
Why wait for someone who won't come?
Hachi wants to wait
I know that
December, 1928
He's here again
So? Let him wait
But it's useless
It's all right
Hachi doesn't care
Hachi...
Enough already. He's not coming back
It's raining
Come here and have a bite
I'm a reporter with Asahi Shimbun
"Man's Best Friend"
"Dogs waits loyally for a master who won't return"
Hachi!
I rushed over when I read the newspaper
You've been waiting for your master every' day?
Look how dirty you are
How you must've suffered
You're the missus?
This dog comes every' day in the evening
My husband really loved him...
It hurts to see him like this
I'm sorry', but we don't have a place for dogs
Any corner will do
Isn't this the dog that was in the papers?
Yes
So this is the loyal dog, Hachi?
And you are?
I knew the late owner, Professor Ueno
Well then, I'll let this loyal dog stay the night
I hope he doesn't bite though
No, he won't
Hachi is a good boy
Hachi...
He was here awhile ago
Hachi disappeared from the inn
It's been three days now
I guess he thought I'd give him away again
Hachi wants to stay here
Free and unchained
I can feel his eyes on me
I must be going
If Hachi comes, please feed him
We can't accept!
Please take this
All right
Bad dog! Coming here again!
Take that!
Scat!
Two Japanese army is still fighting
Our team is entering the city
- It is really exiting. - I don't want to see this
Hachi!
You poor thing!
Is this the mutt the paper wrote about?
He's got a name... It's Hachi
Well, he's not waiting for his master
He's just a freeloader waiting for food
These foul pests should be put to sleep
Say mister, you're the one with a foul heart
How dare you face a customer and say that!
You're no customer of mine!
Enough!
Take your money!
Keep it!
Hachi!
Eat!
Eat all you want!
Eat up
Poor thing
May, 1934
Hachi!
8-Mar-35
Tatsuya Nakadai
Kaoru Yachigusa
Toshio Yanagiba
Toshinori Omi
Mako Ishino
Masumi Harukawa
Kei Yamamoto
Shingo Yamashiro
Norihei Miki
Kin Sugai
Tokiko Kato
Hiroyuki Nagato
Takahiro Tamura
Executive Producer
Kazuyoshi Okuyama
Producers
Hisao nabeshima
Jun-Ichi Shindo
Original Story' Screenplay
Kaneto Shindo
Music
Tetsuju Hayashi
A Production of Shochiku-Fuji Co. Ltd.
Director
Seijiro Koyama