RICKSHAW PULLING WAS ONE OF THE TYPICAL LOWER-CLASS ACTIVITIES IN WHICH SLUM DWELLERS ENGAGED. RICKSHAWS WERE INVENTED AND FIRST PRODUCED IN LARGE NUMBERS IN THE EARLY MEIJI PERIOD AS AN INEXPENSIVE MEANS OF INTRA-URBAN TRANSPORT. OPERATING RICKSHAWS WAS A FORM OF EMPLOYMENT WELL SUITED TO SLUM INHABITANTS WHO GENERALLY LACKED MANUAL SKILLS. THIS WORK WAS ALSO AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF INCOME FOR ASPIRING YOUNG MEN WHO CAME TO TOKYO TO STUDY(SEE (23, CHAP.6))