Coal Pits (Yama) in the Old Days #1: The "Pony Killer" (Hard and Heavy Coal)
1958 - 1963

Mukashi no Yama #1: "Umakoroshi" (Katakute Omoi Sekitan)
[Coal Pits (Yama) in the Old Days #1: The "Pony Killer" (Hard and Heavy Coal)]
21.2 x 30.5 cm Ink Painting

Ponies carrying this kind of coal were tortured nearly to death, though they were not always killed. It was because the coal they were forced to carry was very heavy. It was dull and hard coal with low energy, but about twice as heavy as normal coal. It was normal for ponies to tire out while carrying the coal on their backs through bad mountain roads.
The coal was called the umakoroshi (pony killer) and I do not know by whom and when it was given this name.
Additionally, the umakoroshi often hurt sakiyamas' (hewers') eyes because it was so hard that a lot of fragments of the coal flew violently each time it was hit by their pickax.

Excerpt from the Lyrics of "Gotton Bushi" Song
Koma mo ichido wa namida o nagasu.

Even a pony sheds tears at least once in its life.


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

<<Last pictorial record    Next pictorial record>>

<<Last 10 items  111 | 112 | 113 | 114 | 115 | 116 | 117 | 118 | 119 | 120｜  Next 10 Items>>

120／585