Yamaguchi Bicycle, ‟Smart Lady” The Original ‟Mama-chari”（Part 5）

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As we have seen in this series, the Smart Lady is the original Mama-chari; a ubiquitous unisex Japanese utility bicycle, or "mom's bike," designed for practical everyday use. 
Now, have you ever seen the movie the Wizard of OZ? 
If so, do you remember the bicycle that the villain Miss Gulch (aka Wicked Witch of the West) rode?

It has nearly all the same Smart Lady features:  step-through frame, upright riding position, single-speed, rod-brakes, sprung leather saddle, half-chaincase, rear fender, handlebar basket and rear luggage rack. 

The bicycle is actually a 1900 Orient manufactured by the Waltham Manufacturing Company of Waltham, Massachusetts, coincidentally very close to where I was raised. 

Having grown up in the US in the 1960s, I had never seen a rod-brake bicycle until I first visited Japan in 1982.  I was amazed.  Rod-brake bicycles were everywhere.   At the time, the brakes were notorious for an eardrum piercing high-pitched screech.  My friends and I affectionately referred to them as the Wicked Witch of the West bicycles because they not only had the same look and feel, but in addition, the loud shrill from the brakes resembled the witch's spine-tingling scream as in the scene where Miss Gulch is riding her bicycle and transforms into the witch riding her broom.

It is interesting that in Japan, the same basic features found on the Smart Lady are still present 70 years later; though the spectrum of models has certainly evolved with cable brakes being standard, internal hub dynamo powered lighting, auto ON-OFF headlamps, electrical assist, internal 3-speed or more hubs, front and rear child seats, etc.  But a new low-end model can still be purchased, complete with accessories (bell, basket, headlamp, skirt guard, rear luggage rack, rear reflector, kickstand, lock) for around $100.

Reliable, affordable and versatile these bikes put the "p" in practical.
As previously mentioned in Part 1, the ubiquitous Mama-chari (mom's bike) is the Dutch Omafiets (grandma's bike) of Japan. 
Bicycles like the Mama-chari and Dutch Omafiets are in many ways better, because they are basic, simple, sturdy, affordable, low maintenance and comfortable.  Don't take my word for it, watch the excellent video below.  

Yamaguchi Bicycle, ‟Smart Lady” The Original ‟Mama-chari”（Part 4）

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In Part 1 of this series, we saw the features of the Smart Lady, in Part 2 we looked at the brainchild behind this model, Ms. Suzue Yamaguchi, daughter of the founder and president of Yamaguchi Bicycle Manufacturing Corporation, and in Part 3 we saw that the Yamaguchi Bicycle marketing ploy of "Beauty can be created" was decades ahead of its time.  In this post we will look at the revolutionary payment plan that made the Smart Lady affordable.  

It is important to keep in mind that the cost of a typical bicyle exceeded two months' salary, and, much like automobile ownership today, bicycle owners were required to pay a fee to register their bicycle afterwhich a license plate was attached.

Let's take a look at a 1957 Smart Lady advertisement.
 

First in the upper left we see a woman on her Smart Lady with the catch-phrase "Beauty can be created" used in the comany's revolutionary marketing ploy as covered in Part 2.

The upper right:
By using our pre-order service, customers can easily order a quality bicycle at a low price.
A major revolution for the bicycle industry.

（1）Pre-ordering allows us to formulate detailed production plans in advance and produce on an as needed basis; enabling us to lower costs.

（2）Pre-ordering, unlike speculative forecast production, eliminates waste and saves money since it is based on actual orders so no parts inventory nor warehouses; and since we only produce what is already ordered, there's never any leftover goods.

（3）By simplifying and streamlining sales routes, we minimize transportation, distribution and other expenses resulting is savings.

【Note:  The combination of the above closely ｍirrors the TPS (Toyota Production System) philosophy of Just-In-Time; whereby factories produce on an order based system so that the right parts are supplied at the right time in the right quantities so there is no need to maintain inventory which takes up space and requires buildings to store it, people to manage it and equipment to move it.】 

Lower right:

Price: ￥13,500  　
Downpayment:　￥2,500 
Monthly installments:　￥1,000 for 12 months
Delivery:　Upon payment of 3rd installment

Includes Accesories: Bell, rear luggage rack, stand, lock, basket, mud flap, rear wheel skirt protector net, head lamp, pump, shopping bag.

The Smart Lady:  a bicycle conceptualized by a woman to appeal to women, tailored to fit a woman physically, functionally, aesthetically, and marketed with the catch-phrase "Beauty can be created" along with a payment plan that put bicycle ownership within the reach of women.

Yamaguchi Bicycle, ‟Smart Lady” The Original ‟Mama-chari”（Part 3）

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In Part 1 of this series, we saw the features of the Smart Lady, and, in Part 2 we looked at the brainchild behind this model, Ms. Suzue Yamaguchi, daughter of the founder and president of Yamaguchi Bicycle Manufacturing Corporation.  As we shall see here, and later in Part 4, the Smart Lady was revolutionary not only for its features specifically designed to accomodate women, but also for the way it was marketed.

The image girl first used in advertising the Smart Lady was Meiko Nakamura, a well-known actress. At the time of the photo she was 22 years old and had just had a hit song Country Bus one year earlier in 1955.

Meiko Nakamura with her Smart Lady bicycle (1956)

Designed and marketed specifically to appeal to women, the catch phase was "Beauty can be created"; implying that by riding the Smart Lady bicycle any woman can become physically fit and more attractive.  The fact that 70 years ago, the company set out to create a bicycle designed specifically for women, and capitalized on it with a marketing ploy that beauty comes from staying physically fit, was years, if not decades, ahead of its time. 

Again, Meiko Nakamura, here in the same year on the front cover of a Smart Lady brochure.

Other popular personalities who promoted the Smart Lady included the following:

 Yaoko Kaitani （Famous Japanese Ballet dancer）


Aiko Yamano （Famous Japanese beautician）

Musei Tokugawa with his second wife, Shizue dressed in a kimono, who also rode and promoted the Smart Lady.
(Musei Tokugawa:  famous actor, essayist, radio and television personality)

In the next part, we will look at the revolutionary payment plan that the Yamaguchi sales team introduced to enable more women to own bicycles.

Yamaguchi Bicycle, ‟Smart Lady” The Original ‟Mama-chari”（Part 2）

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As mentioned in the previous post Yamaguchi Bicycle, "Smart Lady" The Original "Mama-chari" (Part 1), in 1956, a time when ladies cycles accounted for less than 10% of the market, and, only around 60% of women could even ride bicycles, Yamaguchi Bicycle Manufacturing Co., Ltd. introduced a revolutionary model designed specifically to meet the needs of women and promote bicycle riding as a way to enhance beauty through exercise.  

Ms. Shizue Yamaguchi (shown below), was the brainchild behind the concept for the Smart Lady.
First, she was one of the first group of female politicians elected to the House of Representatives after World War II in 1946 and was a strong proponent for women's rights and liberation. Second, and perhaps more importantly, she also worked for her father, Shigehiko Yamaguchi, the founder and president of Yamaguch Bicycle.  It was she that proposed the concept for the Smart Lady to her father. 

"I was talking to my father (the company president) about whether it would be possible to make an attractive, lightweight, and practical bicycle for women at a lower price so they too could enjoy riding."

At the time, many women rode the family bicycle which were predominantly men's utility cycles.
(Note the presence of the top tube/crossbar and legnth of the head tube and seat tube.)

At the time, bicycles cost two months' salary, and were prized possesions.
Marriages were predominantly arranged marriages (54%) and a ladies cycle were often part of the trousseau as can be seen in the photo below.
Note: The bride is in the background.  The trousseau includes furiniture, treadle sewing machine (right), washing machine (left) and bicycle in the forefront.  Interestingly, a close look at the bicycle reveals it is coincidentally manufactured by Yamaguchi Bicycle and with the exception of it missing the quick-release basket that doubles as a handbasket (shopping basket) and quick-release battery-powered lamp that doubles as a lantern, it is uncannily similar to the  Smart Lady including: step-through frame with low seat tube, raised easy-to-reach handlebars, white celluloid grips, fender ornament, full fenders and chaincase to protect skirts/kimonos, rear-wheel skirt protector,  sprung leather saddle and a quick-release portable tire pump located behind the seat tube.

(Smart Lady below for comparison)

We shall continue to see in the next installment in this series, how the Smart Lady became the original Mama-chari; a Japanese  "mom's bike," designed for practical, everyday use.  The ubiquitous Mama-chari is the Dutch Omafiets of Japan. 

Yamaguchi Bicycle, ‟Smart Lady” The Original ‟Mama-chari”（Part 1）

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In Vintage Japanese Bicycle (Model Types)　④Ladies Cycle，I mentioned that in 1956, ladies cycles accounted for less than 10% of the market, and, only around 60% of women could even ride bicycles.  However, in the same year, Yamaguchi Bicycle Manufacturing Co., Ltd., introduced a model known as the Smart Lady which revolutionized women's models.  It is important to note here, that the term "Smart", means "Slim and Stylish", and it is this bicycle that ushered in a cultural change promoting bicycle riding, especially for women, as both recreationally fun, and, as a way to enhance beauty through exercise.

Smart Lady (1956)

The company's design engineers focused on designing a model specifically for women.  In their own words: "This revolutionary modern bicycle is designed with the aim of promoting beauty through exercise and making bicycle riding fun.  Lightweight and durable, every detail, from the frame dimensions and angles, to the handlebars and saddle position, have been meticulously designed to help create beauty through exercise.

Let's take a look at some of the main features starting from the front.

Quick-release basket that doubles as a handbasket (shopping basket). 
Quick-release battery-powered lamp that doubles as a lantern.
Raised easy-to-reach handlebars
Celluloid grips
Fender ornament

Frame saddle position is 3" 3/8 inches lower than standard models and allows 4 inches of height adjustment to achieve the perfect fit for comfortable riding.
Low step-through frame for easy mounting/dismounting.
Full fenders and chaincase to protect skirts/kimonos.
Pastel green frame with white fenders


Sprung leather saddle
Equipped with quick-release portable tire pump located behind the seat tube.
Rear-wheel skirt-protector (keeps skirt or kimono clean)
Rear Carrier (luggage rack)

Brochure for the Smart Lady

As we shall continue to see in this series, this is the model that gave birth to mama-chari.

We shall continue to see in the next installment in this series, how the Smart Lady became the original Mama-chari; a Japanese utility bicycle, or "mom's bike," designed for practical, everyday use.  The ubiquitous Mama-chari is the Dutch Omafiets of Japan.    

Showroom on Wheels

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Japan recently marked the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII.

After the end of WWII in 1945, in the same year, GHQ (General Headquarters of Allied Powers) issued permission for Japanese vehicle manufacturers to produce trucks, but production of passenger cars was banned.  Thus, bicycles were in great demand.

Special trucks were designed to enable manufacturers to take their product to the masses.  These were known as SENDEN-JIDOUSHA (宣伝自動車）, literally translated it means campaign or advertising vehicle.  Mobile showrooms traveled the country; whereby, potential customers could see firsthand the manufacturer's lineup and purchase one.  

These promotional vehicles are from the Yamaguchi Bicycle Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

Note how the vehicle is divided into three sections.
First, all the way up front is the driver/crew member and broadcast compartment.  These promotional vehicles were equipped with loudspeakers.


Second is the sales compartment located in the mid-section, equipped with table and chairs to discuss purchase and payment details.


Third, in the rear half is the showroom area where bicycles are displayed.

These showrooms on wheels came in various designs.  

A few other examples of bicycle promotional vehicles.

Mayam (Nittei)


Hikari

Kofu


Tsunoda

It is interesting to note that promotional vehicles were not limited to bicycle companies. There were a wide variety of products promoted this way, including: ham, curry, chocolate, powdered milk, soft milk candies, toothpaste, ice cream, cotton goods, blankets, yarn and sweaters, sewing machines, spark plugs, radios, televisions, milk, milk caramels, sauces, whiskey, beer, wine among many others.

The following link (Japanese only) contains six pages of various promotional vehicles.
Japanese Promotional Vehicles

Also, refer to the following You Tube videos via the links below.
Promotional Vehicles Part 1 
Promotional Vehicles Part 2

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, as the television gradually became a common household item, television commercials did the advertising; thereby, making promotional vehicles obsolete and ending a unique era in Japanese sales promotion methods. 

Vintage Japanese Bicycle Models Advertisement

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In the recent series "Vintage Japanese Bicycle Models" we looked at the six main single-gear rod brake bicycles.

Below is an advertisement from the Yamaguchi Bicycle Manufacturing, Co. Ltd., dating back to 1952 - 55.

Note it contains four of the six models covered.

・Heavy-duty Cargo (Carrier) Cycle

・Light-duty Cargo (Carrier) Cycle

・Utility Cycle

・Gents Cycle (aka Roadster)

The reason the other two model types, Ladies Cycle and Unisex Cycle, were not included is that given that this advertisement is from the early 1950s, these two model types were low-demand models, and, did not begin to gain popularity until the latter half of the 1950s onward.

【Extra Edition】 Glad I Ride a Cargo (Carrier) Cycle

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I have mentioned many various advantages of vintage Japanese bicycles, and, my penchant for utility cycles and cargo (carrier) cycles which enable me to haul large heavy loads.
The other day, once again, I had good reason to say to myself, "I'm glad my ride is a cargo (carrier) cycle". 

In the middle of the night, about a 3 minute ride from my house, a main water pipe ruptured causing flooding and a water outage.
I went to view the scene at 3:30 in the morning and found the road had literally turned into a river.
【↓click on the photo below to view the video↓】


Obviously, a water outage means, no water to wash dishes, use the restroom, shower, brush one's teeth, etc. 
Fortunately, a kind neighbor informed us that a park about a 1 kilometer uphill ride from my home had running water.
 

After arriving at the park, I filled the two 20L water jugs and strapped them to the rear carrier.
That is the equivalent of just over 40 kilograms (88 pounds) nearly the weight of the bicycle itself, 36 kilograms (80 pounds).

Since the ride to the park was uphill it was easy hauling the empty jugs to the park, and, after filling the jugs, I simply coasted downhill all the way back home.

Fortunately, water was restored by evening the same day. 

Vintage Japanese Bicycle Models ⑥Unisex Cycle

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In the previous four posts, Vintage Japanese Bicycle (Model Types) ①Heavy-duty Cargo Cycle, ②Light-duty Cargo Cycle, ③Utility Cycle, ④Ladies Cycle, and ⑤Gents Cycle we looked at five of the six main single gear rod brake bicycles.  In this post we continue our look into Vintage Japanese Bicycle (Model Types) and will examine the sixth type Unisex Cycle .

①Heavy-duty Cargo Cycle
②Light-duty Cargo Cycle
③Utility Cycle
④Ladies Cycle
⑤Gents Cycle
⑥Unisex Cycle

Unisex Cycle
 

Background
Before we begin, let us first set the stage.  In the 1950s, predominantly the first half, a bicycle was the only affordable means of private transportation costing two months' salary or more.  They held a status close to that of an automobile nowadays, had to be registered and even had the equivalent of a license plate. Children's bicycles were uncommon and only for the well-to-do households.  The majority of children rode the adult-size family bicycle, "triangle-style".  Thus, many households had, or could only afford, one bicycle, which served the entire "family". 

As the name "unisex" implies these bicycles were designed to suit both men and women.  So far, we have seen that the ①Heavy-duty Cargo Cycle, ②Light-duty Cargo Cycle, ③Utility Cycle and ⑤Gents Cycle  all had top tubes (crossbars).  And, as noted in ④Ladies Cycle, in the 1950s the majority of Japanese women, if wearing western-style clothing, predominantly wore skirts or dresses and the step-through frame design (no top tube/crossbar) greatly facilitated ease of mounting and dismounting.  As we shall see, the unisex model was an in-between design.

Specifications varied depending on the manufacturer and model; however, there are common characteristics.
Let's look at 10 common characteristics.
  (↓click on photo to enlarge ↓)

①Low top tube
The important characteristic of the unisex frame design is its low top tube design.  A compromise between the gents/roadster and ladies model.

They came in two styles, fixed low top tube and movable top tube.
Fixed low top tube
Notice how the top tube is, like all other tubes, brazed in place.

Movable top tube
The top tube was hinged at the point where it connects to the head tube, and its lower end held in place with a bolt.  The bolt could be removed and the top tube raised for men or lowered for women. 

Let's take a look at an actual "movable top tube" frame.
Here is the frame with the top tube in the up position.

The top tube pivots at the head lug.


To lower the top tube the bolt at the seat tube is removed, allowing it to be lowered.



The top tube is lowered to the down position, and the bolt inserted.

Top tube in the lower position.

②Saddle
The ＃800 "hammock saddle" and the #750 saddle (both shown below) were typical saddles on unisex cycles.　

③Handlebars
The style of handlebars on unisex cycles was typically a North Road, raised or slightly raised type.

North Road

Raised

Slightly raised

④Midsize rear rack with two or four stays

⑤Truss rods (Front fork stabilizers)
Unisex cycles did not come with truss rods.   


⑥The full chaincase was standard on unisex cycles.

⑦Drivetrain
Crankwheel (Chainwheel): 44 teeth 

Freewheel: 20 


⑧Stand:
The channel stand shown below was standard on unisex cycles. 

Channel stand

⑨Rear wheel
B/E (Beaded Edge) rim, tube and tire: 26" x 1" 3/8

#14 gauge spokes
Band brake


⑩Front wheel
B/E (Beaded Edge) rim, tube and tire: 26" x 1" 3/8

#14 gauge spokes

This concludes our look at the six main single gear models.  

Vintage Japanese Bicycle (Model Types) ⑤Gents Cycle

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In the previous four posts, Vintage Japanese Bicycle (Model Types) ①Heavy-duty Cargo Cycle, ②Light-duty Cargo Cycle, ③Utility Cycle, and ④Ladies Cycle, we looked at four of the six main single gear rod brake bicycles.  In this post we continue our look into Vintage Japanese Bicycle (Model Types) and will examine the fifth type Gents Cycle.

①Heavy-duty Cargo Cycle
②Light-duty Cargo Cycle
③Utility Cycle
④Ladies Cycle
⑤Gents Cycle
⑥Unisex Cycle

Gents Cycle 
The Gents Cycle, aka Roadster, is the sports car of the single-speed vintage Japanese bicycle.
Note in the specifications how the focus is on lightweight (frame wheelbase, chaincase, stand, rear luggage rack, rims, tires, fenders, spokes, etc.)
(↓click on photo to enlarge ↓)

Specifications varied depending on the manufacturer and model; however, there are common characteristics.
Let's look at 10 common characteristics.
  (↓click on photo to enlarge ↓)

① Short wheelbase
The gents cycle is a slimmed down version of a utility cycle, with high-end models being roadsters.
Typical diamond (double-triangle) bicycle frame design.








 

②Saddle
The ＃800 "hammock saddle" and the #750 saddle (both shown below) were typical saddles on gents cycles.　


The #900 saddle, which a combination of the above two types, was also found on gents cycles.

③Handlebars
The style of handlebars on gents cycles and roadsters was typically a raised or slightly raised type.



④Slim rear rack with only two stays
The gents cycle rear rack shown below is shorter and narrower than those on utility cycles.  
Some roadsters came without a rear rack.


⑤Truss rods (Front fork stabilizers)
Gents cycles typically did not come with truss rods.  The example below is an exception. 


⑥Chaincase
With the emphasis on light weight, gents cycles typically came with one of the following chaincases.

Quarter

Half

Full (transparent celluloid)


Full (metal)

⑦Drivetrain
Crankwheel (Chainwheel): 44 teeth or 48 teeth

Freewheel: 20 teeth
(Export models had 18 teeth)
Chain: Around 106 links

Rat trap pedals or rubber block pedals


⑧Stand:
With the emphasis on light weight, gents cycles typically came with a side stand or channel stand.

Side stand

Channel stand

⑨Rear wheel
Designed for speed the gents cycle came with narrow rims and tires (1" 1/4).
Even the spokes were thinner (#15 gauge).

B/E (Beaded Edge) rim, tube and tire: 26" x 1" 1/4
(Export model gent roadsters had 26", 27" and 28" rims.)

#15 gauge spokes
Small band brake, or, rim brake for economy models

Rim brake

⑩Front wheel
B/E (Beaded Edge) rim, tube and tire: 26" x 1" 1/4
(Export model gent roadsters had 26", 27" and 28" rims.)

#15 gauge spokes
Rim brake 

In the next English post, we will continue our look at the six main single gear models with the next model being the unisex model.