Translation guide
A person who carries a palanquin, a historical enclosed litter used for transporting people. This is a culturally specific role, primarily associated with pre-modern Japan and other parts of Asia.
The most common and straightforward way to refer to someone who carries a palanquin.
The standard historical term for a palanquin bearer. '駕籠' (kago) is the palanquin, and '舁き' (kaki) means carrier.
江戸時代、駕籠舁きは重要な仕事だった。
In the Edo period, palanquin bearers had an important job.
A more formal or literary term using '輿' (koshi) for palanquin. Less common in everyday historical references.
輿舁きたちは黙々と山道を進んだ。
The palanquin bearers silently proceeded along the mountain path.
When emphasizing the job or social position of a palanquin bearer.
Literally 'palanquin shop/establishment', but often used to refer to the bearers themselves, especially as a trade or guild.
彼は駕籠屋として生計を立てていた。
He made a living as a palanquin bearer.
A more generic term for 'carrier' that can apply to palanquin bearers, but is not exclusive to them.
舁き手たちは重い駕籠を担いでいた。
The carriers were shouldering the heavy palanquin.
When discussing the role in a broader historical narrative or cultural explanation.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'person who carries a palanquin'. Useful when explaining the concept to someone unfamiliar with the specific term.
駕籠を担ぐ人は「駕籠舁き」と呼ばれていた。
People who carried palanquins were called 'kagokaki'.
Palanquins (駕籠, kago) were a common mode of transport for the upper classes during the Edo period (1603-1868). The term 'palanquin bearer' is rarely used in modern Japanese outside historical discussions.