Title: Going to Market - Japan
Artist: The Philadelphia Museum
Silver gelatin photograph, 1910s.
Image size 9 1/2 x 12" (241 x 304 mm).

In Japan, rice straw is a very important by-product of the rice fields, over fifteen and a quarter million tons being produced annually. It is utilized in various ways, such as the making of bags for holding cereals, roots, etc; for making ropes and cordage; for making mats, raincoats, summer hats; for thatching roofs and other straw work. It is largely used as fodder and litter for - cattle and horses. It has recently been utilized in the manufacture of Straw pulp which, mixed with other kinds of fibers, is largely used for making printing paper. Until a few years ago nearly all printing paper used for newspapers, journals, etc., in Japan was imported from foreign countries, but at present almost all demands are supplied with the home-made article. There is every prospect that in the future it may be exported to foreign countries on account Of the cheapness of the materials and the ease with which they are obtained. The varieties of uses to which this valuable fiber can be applied are illustrated in the picture, where the ropes which secure the load, the harness of the horses, and the shoes which they wear, as well as the sandals worn by the men are made of rice straw. The picture also illustrates the common mode of transportation in Japan. The pack horses are heavily laden, and under the care of cooties are driven from place to place. The horse at the left side of the picture is loaded with bundles of twigs to be sold for kindling. The farmer will probably exchange them at the town for fertilizer which he will take home in the empty kegs. The Other horse is loaded with bales of charcoal wrapped up in rice straw. Charcoal is the common fuel used for cooking ahd heating in Japan. For heating rooms, the charcoal is generally burned in braziers and not in such Stoves as are used in America. This picture must have been taken near one of the large cities of Japan, for good roads such as this one, wide enough for a wheeled vehicle, are very: uncommon except near the cities

Condition: Very good condtion, some minor surface staining on back of photo board.