Large cart - Daihachiguruma

It is a two-wheeled cart used to transport loads by hand, with seven-bladed and arrow-shaped wheels and a chassis covered with slats. It is pulled by one or two people, with about two people pushing it from behind. There are several theories about the origin of the name, including that it was invented by Yazaemon, a carpenter who worked on oxcarts, to transport building materials after the Great Edo Fire of 1657 (Meireki 3); that it was called Daihachi because it did the work of eight people; and that it was named after the fact that carts measuring 1 jō, 9 shaku, 8 shaku, 7 shaku, and 6 shaku in length were called Daiju, Daikyu, Daihachi, Dainana, and Dairoku. Daihachi carts were not used in Osaka, and beka carts with circular wheels and wooden chassis were used instead. Compared to ox carts and ox horseback transport, the cost of feed for large carts was low, and the cost of towing the cart was also inexpensive, so their numbers rapidly increased, and they ended up taking away cargo from the horse drivers working in Edo Denmacho, so from 1700 (Genroku 13) to 1703, the large carts were stamped with silver stamps in Denmacho as a subsidy for Denmacho, and a silver stamp was collected. There were 2,239 carts, and the silver stamp amounted to 26 kan 868 momme. Because of the high number of accidents involving large carts, a law was enacted stating that anyone who killed or injured someone would be exiled.

[Kumai Tamotsu]

"Collection of Historical Documents on Transportation in the Early Modern Period, Vol. 8 and 9, edited by Kodama Kota (1978-1979, Yoshikawa Kobunkan)" ▽ "Reprint of "Koji Ruien Vol. 32, Utensils Part 2," edited by the Shrine Administration Office and others (1979, Yoshikawa Kobunkan)" ▽ "Cows of Edo, by Kumai Tamotsu" (Tokyo Metropolitan Government, edited by Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Tokyo History Bulletin Vol. 32)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

人力によって荷物を運搬する二輪車で、羽根7枚と矢による車輪と簀子(すのこ)張りの車台で出来ている。1～2人で引き、後押しに2人程ついた。1657年（明暦3）の江戸大火後、建築資材を運ぶため牛車大工八左衛門が発明した説、人間8人分の働きをするため代八(だいはち)と称した説、車台の長さ1丈・9尺・8尺・7尺・6尺のものを大十・大九・大八・大七・大六車と呼ぶところから付けた説など名称の由来がある。大坂では大八車は使用されず、円板車輪に板張り車台のべか車が利用された。大八車は牛車、牛馬背による運搬に比較して飼料代がかからず、車引代も安価なため急速に台数を増やしたため、江戸伝馬町に勤務する馬持ちの荷物を奪うことになり、伝馬町助成として1700（元禄13）～1703年、大八車に伝馬町で極印(ごくいん)を押し極印銀を徴収した。車数2239両、極印銀26貫868匁であった。大八車による事故多発のため殺傷の場合は流罪であるという法令が出ている。

［熊井　保］

『児玉幸多編『近世交通史料集』8・9（1978～1979・吉川弘文館）』▽『神社司庁他編『古事類苑第32　器用部2』復刻版（1979・吉川弘文館）』▽『熊井保著「江戸の牛」（東京都編『都史紀要32』）』

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