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Glossary of SCALE MODELS OF VEHICLES AND ACCOMMODATION

S-12-1-1 : Kago

The kago (literal meaning: "basket") is a conveyance for one person consisting of a seat slung from a pole and protected by a roof and side-blinds. The pole rests on the shoulders of two men, one in front and the other behind. Now obsolete, kngo were an important means of transport for rich travellers – aristocrats, courtesans and merchants – during the Edo period, and even well into the 20th century in remote or mountainous areas. The earliest were made of bamboo. Later versions had a wooden frame.

SCALE MODELS OF VEHICLES AND ACCOMMODATION

S-12-1-2 : Jinrikisha

The Jinrikisha ("man-powered-vehicle"), called a rickshaw in English, is a two-wheeled, hooded carriage pulled by one man. Having made its debut in Japan in 1869, it rapidly replaced the kago (see above) as an upperclass means of transportation and was widely used until 1945. The fare varied according to the steepness of the terrain. In Osaka city in 1901 the fare for five cho (545m) was 3 sen 3 rin. At the same date, one sho (1.5kg) of rice cost 12 sen. In 1970, a few jinrikisha are still seen – as a conveyance for geisha or as a tourist attraction.

SCALE MODELS OF VEHICLES AND ACCOMMODATION

S-12-3-3/4 : "Shinkansen"

This extremely modern train, known worldwide as the "Bullet Train", began services between Tokyo and Osaka in 1964. It covers the 552km distance in 3hrs 10mins at a maximum speed of 210km.p.h. This makes the super-express Hikari, "Light", the world's fastest train. Two automated train systems developed in Japan – CTC (Centralized Traffic Control) and ATC (Automatic Train Control) – constantly monitor the position and safety of every train on the line. Each train is composed of 16 coaches and is 400m long. Total capacity is 1,400 passengers. Construction work for extension of the Shinkan sen line to Hakata in Kyushu began in March, 1967.

SCALE MODELS OF VEHICLES AND ACCOMMODATION

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