Japan's most beloved canine, Hachiko, sits immortalized in bronze outside Tokyo's bustling Shibuya Station, but few know the tragic story of the artist who created the original statue. Teru Ando, the sculptor behind the first Hachiko monument, died 80 years ago during World War II air raids, taking with him most of his artistic legacy. A major retrospective at Tokyo's Shoto Museum of Art now brings his forgotten works back into the spotlight.
Hachiko, the faithful Akita Inu who lived from 1923 to 1935, became a symbol of unwavering loyalty after continuing to wait at Shibuya Station for nearly ten years following his owner's sudden death in 1925. Professor Eizaburo Ueno had named the dog Hachi, and the devoted animal earned the affectionate nickname Hachiko from commuters who witnessed his daily vigil. This remarkable story of devotion later inspired a Hollywood film, cementing the dog's place in popular culture worldwide.
Born in Kagoshima in 1892, Teru Ando studied at the prestigious Tokyo Fine Arts School, now known as Tokyo University of the Arts. In 1929, he co-founded Kaijin-sha, an influential forum where mid-career sculptors gathered to study and exchange artistic ideas. The character 'kai' in the group's name means 'mass,' reflecting the solid, weighty presence that characterized Ando's sculptures. His works possessed a distinctive charm that was both simple and gentle, imbued with a sense of volume that set them apart from their contemporaries.
While much of Japan's wartime art served to promote national prestige and military glory, Kaijin-sha maintained its artistic integrity and never altered its style to conform to political pressures. As a central figure in this resistance movement, Ando, who was known as an avid animal lover, created works such as his rounded 'Rabbit' and 'Quail' sculptures. These pieces demonstrated quiet but deeply nuanced appeal, showcasing his ability to capture the essence of his subjects with remarkable sensitivity.
Ando's selection to create the first Hachiko statue came after he exhibited a work modeled on the famous dog at an art show, demonstrating his particular talent for animal subjects. The unveiling ceremony in 1934 was a momentous occasion, with the real Hachi himself in attendance, creating a poignant connection between the living subject and his bronze representation. This original statue stood as a testament to both canine loyalty and artistic excellence until wartime demands intervened.
Tragedy struck in 1944 when the first statue was requisitioned for metal to support Japan's war effort, disappearing forever into the machinery of conflict. The following year, during the devastating Yamanote air raid in May 1945, Ando perished in an air-raid shelter near his Shibuya studio. The large-scale incendiary bombing carried out by U.S. forces on central Tokyo not only claimed the artist's life but also destroyed most of his remaining works in the fires that followed.
Despite the loss of both artist and original artwork, the image and spirit of Hachiko endured in public memory. Ando's eldest son, Takeshi, himself a skilled sculptor, took on the monumental task of recreating his father's masterpiece. Working solely from old photographs and his own childhood recollections, the younger Ando carefully reconstructed the statue that stands today, ensuring that his father's vision would continue to touch future generations.
The current exhibition at the Shoto Museum of Art features the plaster prototype of Ando's original work, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the creative process behind Japan's most famous sculpture. The prototype closely resembles the second statue, with only subtle differences such as the left ear drooping and slightly shorter, thicker forelegs. These minor variations serve as poignant reminders of the human touch behind the beloved monument.
Today, amid the constant throng of young people meeting up around Shibuya Station, Hachiko continues to gaze straight ahead, embodying the enduring values of loyalty and devotion. The statue serves not only as a popular meeting spot but also as an unwitting memorial to Teru Ando, whose name gradually faded from public memory even as his most famous creation became an international icon. Through this retrospective exhibition, art lovers and the general public alike can rediscover the talented artist whose work touched millions of hearts across generations.
