Rickshaw
Japanese Name:
人力車
Romaji Name:
jinrikisha
Description
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A rickshaw is a small, two-wheeled passenger vehicle pulled by a person on foot.
It typically has a seat for one or two passengers and a canopy for shade.
The puller walks or runs while pulling the cart using two long shafts.
Rickshaws are often used for short-distance travel in urban or tourist areas.
They are eco-friendly and can navigate narrow streets easily.
In some places, they are seen as cultural or nostalgic symbols.
Modern versions include cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws with motors.
Despite their simplicity, rickshaws require great physical effort to operate.
History
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The hand-pulled rickshaw originated in Japan in the late 1860s.
It quickly became a popular form of transport across Asia, especially in China and India.
Rickshaws provided cheap and efficient travel for urban populations.
They were often used by the middle and upper classes, pulled by lower-income workers.
By the mid-20th century, many cities began phasing them out due to labor concerns.
Cycle and auto rickshaws gradually replaced hand-pulled versions in most areas.
Today, hand-pulled rickshaws still exist in parts of Japan, India, and Bangladesh, often for tourism.
They are now valued more for their cultural heritage than as practical transport.