Kago Collection

Resting - Kago Travelling Chair - Japan. Date: circa 1910s

A Woman Seated in a Kago, ca. 1752. Creator: Ishikawa Toyonobu
A Woman Seated in a Kago, ca. 1752

Nissaka, 1840-42 (woodblock print)
6198470 Nissaka, 1840-42 (woodblock print) by Hiroshige, Ando or Utagawa (1797-1858); 16.5x23 cm; The McManus, Dundee, UK; (add.info)

1860s Japan - portrait of a young woman in a kago with two bearers Felice or Felix Beato (1832 - 29 January 1909), Italian-British photographer working mostly in India, Japan, China

Kago or carrying chair along shore of Hakone Lake, Japan
Kago or carrying chair along the shore of Hakone Lake, Japan. Vintage 19th century photograph

Carrying chair, kago crossing a birdge, Gamman, Nikko. Vintage 19th century photograph

Woman being carried in kago, carrying chair, served tea
Young woman being carried in a kago, carrying chair, being served tea. Vintage 19th century photograph

Stone idols statues Hakone, woman in carrying chair, kago
Stone idols statues at Hakone, woman in carrying chair, kago. Vintage 19th century photograph

Sir Edwin Arnold in Japan (b / w photo)
1592089 Sir Edwin Arnold in Japan (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sir Edwin Arnold in Japan)

A Geisha being carried in a litter (sepia photo)
STC235548 A Geisha being carried in a litter (sepia photo) by Japanese Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; Japanese, out of copyright

Hanazashi-guruma fromaMomoyo-gusa (The World of Things) Vol II, pub
3506742 Hanazashi-guruma fromAMomoyo-gusa (The World of Things) Vol II, pub.1909 (colour block woodcut) by Sekka, Kamisaka (1866-1942); (add.info)

Shono, 1840-42 (woodblock print)
6198585 Shono, 1840-42 (woodblock print) by Hiroshige, Ando or Utagawa (1797-1858); 16.5x22.5 cm; The McManus, Dundee, UK; (add.info)

Hakone, 1840-42 (woodblock print)
6198446 Hakone, 1840-42 (woodblock print) by Hiroshige, Ando or Utagawa (1797-1858); 16.5x22.5 cm; The McManus, Dundee, UK; (add.info)

Sketches from Japan, Travelling in the Kago (engraving)
1588985 Sketches from Japan, Travelling in the Kago (engraving) by Regamey, Felix (1844-1907) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches from Japan, Travelling in the Kago)

Kanaya, 1840-42 (woodblock print)
6198467 Kanaya, 1840-42 (woodblock print) by Hiroshige, Ando or Utagawa (1797-1858); 16.5x22.5 cm; The McManus, Dundee, UK; (add.info)

Okabe, 1840-42 (woodblock print)
6198463 Okabe, 1840-42 (woodblock print) by Hiroshige, Ando or Utagawa (1797-1858); 16.5x22.5 cm; The McManus, Dundee, UK; (add.info)

Japanese Geisha being carried in a litter (hand coloured albumen print on card)
STC236941 Japanese Geisha being carried in a litter (hand coloured albumen print on card) by Kimbei, Kusakabe (1841-1934); Private Collection; The Stapleton Collection; Japanese, out of copyright

Resting Place for Kago-Bearers, 1834 (colour woodblock print)
1069182 Resting Place for Kago-Bearers, 1834 (colour woodblock print) by Hiroshige, Ando or Utagawa (1797-1858); Dallas Museum of Art, Texas, USA; gift of Mr. and Mrs

Kago travelling chair, Japan circa 1870s. Date: circa 1870s

Her ghastly face and blood-stained garments... 1919. Creator: Unknown
Her ghastly face and blood-stained garments struck terror to the souls of the petrified spectators, 1919....the brides sumptuously lacquered kago appeared, surrounded by a numerous retinue

Hanazashi-guruma from Momoyo-gusa (The World of Things) Vol II, pub.1909 (colour block woodcut). A Cart with Flowers;

A Japanese kago, occupant and carriers, Japan, 1905. Artist: BL Singley
A Japanese kago, occupant and carriers, Japan, 1905. A kago is a basic, undecorated palanquin (a traditional form of transport). Stereoscopic card. Detail

La Kago, Transport of Japan, c1890. Artist: Charles Gillot
La Kago, Transport of Japan, c1890. Illustration from the the booklet Japon, Moeurs et Usages, (Paris, c1890)

People being transported in Kiyomizi near Kyoto in Japan. dated 1902. Wealthy paying to be carried around on traditional kago, norimono or rickshaw

Woman in a travelling chair or Kago, Japan circa 1870s. Date: circa 1870s

Japan - A Kago litter being carried up the mountain
Japan - A Kago being carried up the mountain. Kago are a type of litter used as a means of human transportation by the non-samurai class in feudal Japan and into the Meiji period. Date: circa 1910s

Kago Travelling Chair at Hakone, Japan. The porters each wear a mino, a traditional Japanese garment, a raincoat made out of straw

Japan - Kago Travelling Chair Date: circa 1908

Kago, travelling chair, Japan

Arashiyama Bridge, Kyoto, Japan
Kago (carrying chair) at Arashiyama Bridge, near Kyoto, Japan. Date: circa 1890s

Ume ni kago no uguisu, Caged bush warbler and plum. 1829. 1 print : woodcut, color; 42.5 x 55.2 cm. Print shows two birdcages, one sitting on a box

Kago travelling chair. Photograph shows men carrying a woman with parasol in a sedan chair on a street in front of the Hafuya Hotel

Kago and bearers in Japan

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Resting peacefully on a Kago Travelling Chair, one can't help but be transported to the enchanting land of Japan. This traditional mode of transportation has been capturing hearts for centuries, as depicted in Ishikawa Toyonobu's captivating artwork from 1752. In Nissaka's woodblock print from 1840-42, we catch a glimpse of the elegance and grace that accompanies a woman seated in a kago. The intricate details and vibrant colors bring this historical scene to life, showcasing the cultural significance of this unique form of travel. Fast forward to the 1860s, where Felix Beato captures an intimate portrait of a young woman accompanied by two bearers in her kago. The photograph exudes sophistication and poise as she glides through Japan's picturesque landscapes. From Hakone Lake to Gamman Nikko, kagos continue to traverse bridges and shorelines with ease. These carrying chairs serve not only as means of transport but also as symbols of status and luxury. As seen in various photographs throughout history, women are often carried comfortably while enjoying tea or admiring stone idols statues along their journey. Even renowned figures like Sir Edwin Arnold couldn't resist experiencing the allure of Japan from within a kago. His black-and-white photo encapsulates his fascination with this ancient tradition that still captivates imaginations today. Geishas too have embraced the convenience and charm offered by these litters. A sepia-toned image showcases their beauty being gracefully carried through bustling streets—a testament to both tradition and modernity coexisting harmoniously. The Hanazashi-guruma featured in Momoyo-gusa's publication further emphasizes how deeply rooted they are within Japanese culture. With each turn of its pages, readers are transported back in time—immersing themselves into Shono's woodblock print from 1840-42 depicting yet another captivating scene involving these iconic carrying chairs. In the world of kagos, time seems to stand still.