Pulling down the Coal Sled by Hitching the Towing Rope around the Buttocks
1958 - 1963

Ketsubiki
[Pulling down the Coal Sled by Hitching the Towing Rope around the Buttocks]
21.1 x 30.3 cm Ink Painting

On haulage ways inclined about 12 or 13 degrees, each of the hewers' helpers pulled down their coal sled by hitching their towing rope (karui) around their buttocks even if no wooden ladders had been laid. It soon became difficult for them to tow coal sleds on the same haulage ways because a pair of grooves was made on the ground.

Lyrics of "Gotton Bushi" Song
Agari sagari no ishi no me mo shirazu.
Sakiyama-san to wa na ga okashii.
Dokkoi! Dokkoi!

If you can't tell if the grain of coal is ascending or descending,
you aren't worthy of the name of sakiyama san (hewer).
Dokkoi! Dokkoi! (Interjected chants)


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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