Caution, doors are closing, or How people are pushed into carriages in the Japanese subway
Caution, doors are closing, or How people are pushed into carriages in the Japanese subway

Video: Caution, doors are closing, or How people are pushed into carriages in the Japanese subway

Video: Caution, doors are closing, or How people are pushed into carriages in the Japanese subway
Video: ⚡He Became A Surrogate Boyfriend To Save His Mother | MANHWA - YouTube 2024, November
Anonim
Professional pushers work in Japanese subways
Professional pushers work in Japanese subways

The Japanese subway is known all over the world for its congestion and punctuality. In the capital of the Land of the Rising Sun alone, about 40 million people use the metro every day. During rush hours, when everyone simply physically cannot fit into the carriages, professional pushers come to the rescue. The job of these white-gloved people is to stuff more passengers into the carriages.

Pushers push people into subway cars during rush hour. 1967 year
Pushers push people into subway cars during rush hour. 1967 year

In the Tokyo subway, trains arrive at stations at intervals of only 2-3 minutes, but this is not enough to accommodate everyone. That is why “oshiya” and “pushers” work in a different way at each metro station. The essence of their work is to push as many people as possible into the cars.

Passengers calmly wait for their turn to be pushed into the carriage
Passengers calmly wait for their turn to be pushed into the carriage
Oshiya pushes people into the carriage
Oshiya pushes people into the carriage

The idea of "pushers" emerged in the early 20th century in the United States, but it did not take root there, since people were indignant and spoke out about human rights when they were unceremoniously pushed into carriages. The guards who pushed people in too hard were nicknamed "sardine packers."

Everyone wants to get home
Everyone wants to get home
Rush hour shot on the Tokyo subway
Rush hour shot on the Tokyo subway
Image from Tokyo Compression series. Photographer: Michael Wolf
Image from Tokyo Compression series. Photographer: Michael Wolf

In Japan, the "pushers" were originally students who worked part-time only during peak hours. Then this role went to the station maintenance personnel. The Japanese themselves are ready to endure any inconvenience just to get home. They are not even afraid to fall asleep while standing, knowing that they are still propped up from all sides.

Image from Tokyo Compression series. Photographer: Michael Wolf
Image from Tokyo Compression series. Photographer: Michael Wolf
Image from Tokyo Compression series. Photographer: Michael Wolf
Image from Tokyo Compression series. Photographer: Michael Wolf

Japan is an amazing country. The culture of this country is not always clear to Europeans. These 24 curious facts about the Land of the Rising Sun will reveal its amazing riddles.

Recommended: