The Savannah morning news., 1904-12-18
THE JINRIKISHA.
Hanson Cab of the East n Possible
American Invention.


From the London Globe.
The most general impression of the
jinrikisha, the hanson cab of the
East generally, and of Japan in par
ticular, is that it is a vehicle with a
venerable antiquity behind it. or, in
other words, a survival of some kind:
therefore, when one learns that 1t is
merely an infant of some forty sum-
mers, there is perhaps cause for sur
prise. The honor of inventing the con-
veyance cannot be ascribed to any par
ticular individual If one has any re-
gard for accuracy for there are half
dozen claimants, among them be-
ing-it seems almost inevitable-an
American whose hustling propensity, so
1t would seem, was rather abnormal
ly developed. But the Japanese them
selves, who ought to know something
about the matter ignore the preten-
sions of this restless Yankee. and most
frequently mention the names of their
own countrymen, TOkoyama, Kosuke,
Izume, Osuki, and Sioux Tokiyara, as
the inspired genuises who first recog-
nized the necessity for some improve
ments upon the Kago, a kind of palan-
quin which was anything but expe-
ditious, and the cumbersome four
wheeled OK cart, which, though per-
haps truly Oriental, was altogether too
dreadful when the roadways were not
constructed with mathematic precision
as to the uniformity of the stones.
One of these individuals fashioned a
vehicle out of box, four props, and
a pair of wheels, very crude and
primitive arrangement, II must be al
lowed, but the idea itself caught on
Immediately, and fortunately enough
did not clash with any Of the conven-
lions In vogue, by which the rem, an
aristocratic two wheeler, and the kosl<i.
a kind of sedan-chair with an awning,
were strictly relegated for the use of
royalty and the mobiles, and could not
be utilized by the mere plebeian, native
or otherwise, because of the penalties
prescribed for such transgressions
against the dignity of blood
Gradually the idea evolved into the
comfortable, expeditions, and almost
Indispensable equipage of the present
day, and at the same time the kumo-
suke COOLIES employed I'm the drag
ging of the old vehicles), advancing
with the times, blossomed out into
jnrikishamen. OF these individuals
there are nowadays three distinct
classes, divided into kakae- guruma.
private coachmen attached to a house.
hold; the yado-guruma, plying for
public hire at the instigation Of an
owner of a number of rikishas, and,
last Of all, the tsuji-guruma, who
work for the benefit Of their own
health and wealth. The kakae-g uru-
ma is private servant in every sense
Of the word, and being so, enjoys spe-
cial privileges, one of the most inn
portant Of which Is that he need not
conform to the police regulations in
the matter of dress. The kado-giIru-
ma, however, must array himself in
the prescribed costume, and as a rule,
house, and TO the public he is Moth
ing more than an employe Of the oyo-
kata, or boss, to whom the monthly
accounts are, payable, and who is re-
sponsible for any misconduct on the
part of the workmen. The latter's re-
Enumeration Is not "A fat one, for,
though he receives board and lodging,
and obtains the use of the vehicle, he
must pay the boss" six yen per
month. In addition to at least 10 per
cent. OF the fares; and, after sundry
necessary expenditures. there re-
mains but a paltry profit left. But.
nevertheless, he never goes short be-
ing able TO obtain accommodation by
borrowing from his employer; and al
though I'm the past IL was consider al
most point OF honor with the fra
ternity 10 take French leave when i'm
debt. the formation OF the jinrlklsha
guild has rendered this playfulness
quite impossible. II he were TO at
tempt 20 get "A fresh license he would
probably ind his name on the black
list as u result Of the thOughtfulncss
Of his late employer. and permission 10
play for hire would not be granted.
The third class, or tsuii-guruma, who
are stationed at street corners. are tho
frceat OF all ma regards their daily life
but are probably the poorest. The
majority rent their vehicle from some
Hnfiklsha house ana pay 4 90 sen
per diem Tor the hire, Tho street fin
nkiHhnmeu'a earnings are on AN aver
age about 15 a. 80 son. equivalent 10
little more than o. He has "a street
stand, whore be must walt Tor bis