People at Coal Pits in the Old Days #12: Support Unit Called a Myoto-waku (Husband- and-wife Support Unit
1958 - 1963

Mukashi Yama no Hitobito #12: Myoto-waku
[People at Coal Pits in the Old Days #12: Support Unit Called a Myoto-waku (Husband- and-wife Support Unit]
20.5 x 29.2 cm Ink Painting

All of the beams and pillars of this support unit were tightened with kamisashis (wedges). An inexperienced probationary repairer (shikurikata) could be a little proud of his/her skill when he/she became able to skillfully cut the kamisashi (also called a "ya") out of lagging. However, he/she could accidentally slice or cut off his/her left thumb.
The helper (atoyama) of a pair of shikurifu (shikurikata) could not be idle. Even a woman helper had to saw timber to efficiently complete their work.

[Translator's Notes: A myoto-waku was composed of an old support unit and a new half set. One end of the additional beam was supported by one of the legs of the old unit and the other end of the beam was supported by the additional leg.]


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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