River Barge (Goheitabune) Driver (Coal Transporter) in the First Half and Middle of the Meiji Era (1868-1912) #2
February 1967

Meiji Kami-chuki Kawabune (Goheitabune) Sendo (Sekitan Unso) #2
[River Barge (Goheitabune) Driver (Coal Transporter) in the First Half and Middle of the Meiji Era (1868-1912) #2]
38.1 x 54.2 cm Painting in Watercolors and Ink

The capacity of a large-sized barge was 10,000 kins (6 tons) of coal and barge drivers used their bamboo rod to increase the speed of the barge, though they also made use of the river current.

Song Lyrics
Onga dote yukya yuki furikakaru.
Kaerya saishi ga nakikakaru.

Snow falls on me while I go along the banks of the Onga River.
My wife and children will come crying to me when I come home.

Onga kudareba Yamabe de tomaru.
Tomaru hazu dayo hana da mono.

Barge drivers stay in Yamabe on their way down the Onga River.
It's no surprise because there was an entertainment spot there.

They say the above song became popular many years ago. However, nobody sings it today because the lyrics sound coarse.


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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