The
first one was made less than forty years ago, but they sprang into favour
at once, and their popularity grew by leaps and bounds. The fact is that
the rickshaw fits Japan as a round peg fits a round hole. In the first
place, it opened a new and money-making industry to many thousands of men
who had little to do. There were vast numbers of strong, active young
fellows who leapt forward at once to use their strength and endurance in
this novel and profitable fashion. Then, the vehicle was suited to Japanese
conditions, both in town and country.
In town the streets are so narrow and busy that horse traffic would be
dangerous. In fact, in many places a horse is so rare a sight that when one
trots along a street a man runs ahead, blowing a horn to warn people to
clear out of the way. But the rickshaw-boy dodges through the traffic with
his little light carriage, and runs over no one.
Then, in the country the roads are often very narrow, and sometimes very
bad--mere tracks between fields of rice. Here the rickshaw is of great
service, owing to its light weight and the little room it requires.
As a rule, the rickshaw is drawn by one man and holds one passenger; but
it has often to contain two Japanese, for the pair of them will fit snugly
into the space required for one Englishman. If the traveller wishes to go
fast, he has two human horses harnessed to his light chariot. Both run in
front till a hill is reached, when one drops back to push behind.
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