Oiwake (Tea House) at Nakasendo

Rickshaws, also known as pedicabs or trishaws, are vehicles that are powered by a person pedaling a bike or tricycle. They have a seating area for passengers and are commonly used as a mode of transportation in cities and towns around the world. The history of rickshaws can be traced back to 19th century Japan, where they were originally used to transport travelers and goods. The word "rickshaw" is derived from the Japanese word "jinrikisha," which means "human-powered vehicle." Rickshaws were introduced to other parts of Asia, including China and India, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In the 20th century, rickshaws became a popular mode of transportation in many developing countries, as they were inexpensive and easy to operate. However, in recent years, the use of rickshaws has declined in many places due to concerns about their safety and the rise of alternative modes of transportation, such as cars and buses. Despite this, rickshaws continue to be used in some parts of the world, particularly in areas where roads and infrastructure are limited.

Kusakabe Kimbei was a prominent Japanese photographer, born in Edo (now Tokyo) in 1841. He worked as an apprentice in a photographic studio before opening his own studio in Yokohama in the early 1870s. His studio specialised in producing hand-coloured photographs of Japanese landscapes, people and customs, which were popular with foreign tourists and collectors. Kimbei's work is notable for its technical skill and artistic composition, as well as its documentation of Japanese culture during a period of rapid modernisation and westernisation. He also collaborated with other photographers, including Felice Beato and Baron Raimund von Stillfried, to produce albums and photo series. Kimbei's photographs were exhibited internationally, including at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. He continued to work as a photographer until his death in 1934 at the age of 93. Today, his photographs are highly sought after by collectors and are held in major museum collections around the world.