I gave a Zoom Hachiko lecture for the Japanese Association of Greater Philadelphia. Heather and her Akita dogs joined the lecture. I’m glad I could meet Hachiko and dog fans in Philadelphia.
I gave Zoom lecture titled “Hachiko Connects the World” for Keiai University Professor Shoji’s “International Relations” class in relate to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Roken Jinja is an old shrine in Odate, Akita prefecture. The object of worship of this shrine is a real loyal dog “Shiro” in the 17th century. The village where the shrine exist is called “The Village of a Dog” and the local people have been worshipping this shrine in the mountain. To celebrate its 400th anniversary, the people erected a pair of Akita dog statues. The ceremony was held on Apro; 17th.
Because of the Coronavirus outbreak, the ceremony was conducted by only the people concerned.
Several people from America donated to erect the statues. Thank you very much for your kind support.
The white stone statues looks beautiful and gentle.
I gave a Hachiko lecture “A Look into the Life of Hachiko” at the AKC Museum of Dog in Manhattan. About 40 Hachiko fans attended. Two Akita dogs, the Japanese Akita Yuki and the American Akita Zsa Zsa both rescued by the Big East Akita Rescue were present thanks the owners Sean, Katie and Heather.
Title “Hachiko -A Look into the Life of Hachi “
At The AKC Museum of the Dog
101 Park Avenue New York
https://museumofthedog.org/events-and-education/calendar/hachiko-a-look-into-the-life-of-hachi
I gave a Hachiko lecture “A Look into the Life of Hachi” at the AKC Museum of Dog in Manhattan.
Two Akita dogs, A Japanese Akita Yuki and an American Akita Zsa Zsa both rescues by the Big East Akita Rescue were present thanks to the owners, Sean, Katie and Heather. I met many Hachiko and Akita dog fans and everyone has a wonderful time!
I visited the newly opened Akita Dog Visitor Center in Odate which building was designed to look like Shibuya station in the 1920s.
I visited Roke Jinja (Old Dog Shrine) in Odate where the object of worship is the legendary loyal dog of the 17th century.
I have been making sumie (ink brush drawings) on Hachiko story.
When I heard BTS V (Kim Taehyung)’s solo song “Scenery”, I thought it was perfect for my sumie Hachiko story. The beautiful lyrics evoke the feelings of Hachiko. The sound effects of train bells and crunchy sounds of walking on snow made me feel I was transferred to Shibuya station in the 1930s.
Here is the link.
I gave Hachiko lectures by Internet for those who takes Japanese. I used power point presentation, Hachiko and My Mother Video and Hachiko and Professor Ueno with BTS “Spring Day” Japanese Version
I gave Hachiko lectures to Chiyoda International School students 2nd, 3rd and 5th grade students.
They were very interested in Hachiko’s story and I enjoyed talking to the children very much.
Thank you!
To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the erection of the current statue of Hachiko, this very unique exhibition had organized by the Shibuya Folk and Literacy Museum. I donated an old magazine with the picture of Helen Keller touching the statue of Hachiko (photographed in 1948) and loaned photographs from the collection I exhibited in New York and Los Angeles.
Helen Keller and Hachiko Exhibition will continue till March 23rd 7:00 pm. Please come see rare pictures and letters on Helen and Hachiko.
https://www.jflalc.org/ac-exhibition21
Helen Keller and Hachiko Exhibition preview Night was held on March 8th, the 83rd anniversary of Hachiko' s death. I gave a talk on Helen Keller and Hachiko's relation and Dr. Steven Takamatsu, the President of Akita Dog Preservation Society in the US gave a lecture on Akita dogs. He brought three Akita dogs and the participants pet the dogs and took pictures with them.The producer of the Hollywood movie "Hachi. A dog's tale", Vicki Shigekuni-Wong joined us. I enjoyed talking about Hachiko with her! It was a wonderful event to share the story of Hachiko with many people in Los Angeles area.
With the Director of The Japan Foundation Los Angeles Mr. Hideki Hara and The President of the Akita Dog Preservation Society of North America
With the producer of "Hachi, A dog's tale", Vicki Shigekuni-Wong
The exhibition introduced rarely known relations between helen keller and Hachiko through historic pictures and letters collected from Tokyo, Akita, New York, Westport and Boston.
https://www.jflalc.org/ac-exhibition21
Helen Keller and Hachiko Exhibition gallery talk for press was held. After my speech on the connection between Helen Keller and Hachiko, several guests gave nice speeches.
Jennifer Hale from the Perkins School for the Blind, Heidi Conkling from Abbey Glen Pet Memorial Park, Diane Lynch who gave me the 1948 ' Mainichi Graphic' that has a wonderful image of Helen Keller and the statue of Hachiko, JoAnn Dimon, President of the Big East Akita rescue and Mark Ackerman , Executive Vice president of Lighthouse Guild were the speakers. It was a wonderful event!
My article "Helen Keller and Kenzan" appeared in the "Akita Inu" magazine special 500 issue. The Akita Inu Preservation Society celebrated its 90th anniversary.
I went to see Akita breeder and Akita dogs
I visited the Akita Inu Hozonkai (Akita Dog Preservation Society) in Odate, Akita and met with the staff and Akita dogs.
I met the Mayor of Odate, Akita, Mr. Junji Fukuhara at Odate City Office. We talked about Hachiko friendship project between Japan and the US.
The 82nd Hachiko Memorial Ceremony was held at the statue of Hachiko in front of Shibuya station. The Mayor of Shibuya Mr. Hasebe, the Mayor of Odate, Mr.Fukuhara, the Chairman of the statue of Hachiko Committee, Mr. Kamijo and people who have connections to Hachiko and several Akita dogs attended the special ceremony to pay tribute to Hachiko.
I went to the American Kennel Club "Meet the Breeds". I met many dogs and off course I spent a lot of time at Akita dog booth where B.E.A.R.( Big East Akita Rescue) presented wonderful Akitas.
I visited Odate, Akita, Hachiko's birthplace and the origin of Akita breed.
I gave a lecture on Hachiko for the international relations major students at Keiai University. Please check out the HP of the university. http://www.u-keiai.ac.jp/international-news/34_58abafe043cf3/index.html
I went to see the Akita dog Exhibition at a park in Ariake, Tokyo. This exhibition was organized by the Akita Dog preservation Society.
I was interviewed by Yomiuri newspaper journalist regarding Hachiko.
読売新聞オンラインより
I had a meeting with the mayor of Shibuya, mr. Hasebe regarding Hachiko.
I worked as a producer to erect the statue of professor Ueno and Hachiko at Abbey Glen Pet Memorial Park. The statue is the reproduction of the statue at the University of Tokyo which was erected on March 8th, 2015. The unveiling ceremony was held at Abbey Glen and 200 people and 3o dogs attended the ceremony.
