I actually uploaded 90 some odd photos of the day but am not feeling up to drafting an entry. So instead, here’s a shot of me at the Shibuya Crossing, the famed and scientifically unproven “busiest intersection in the world.”
And here’s a shot of Mom and me at the dog statue outside the Shibuya Station. Steve told us to look for it.
Only later did I google the significance of the animal. This is Hachikō , a faithful friend and companion, even nine years after his owner’s death. Today, Hachiko is held in high regard as an example of loyalty and fidelity.
And this comes from Wikipedia so who knows just how accurate it is, but still — gotta love this detail to the story:
Hachikō’ “speaks”
In 1994, the Nippon Cultural Broadcasting in Japan was able to lift a recording of Hachikō barking from an old record that had been broken into several pieces. A huge advertising campaign ensued and on Saturday, May 28, 1994, 59 years after his death, millions of radio listeners tuned in to hear Hachikō bark.
Reading this now, I can’t help but think of the RCA Victor mascot, Nipper. But Nipper came way before our dog in Japan.