次回この記事の日本語版を投稿します。
The first Vintage Japanese Bicycle calendar I made was the 2009 Calendar (Japanese only) and thereafter it soon became an unexpected hit Cycle Sports (Japanese only). People were looking to purchase these handmade calendars and I willingly obliged continuing to produce and sell them 2010 Calendar (Japanese only). However, due to the sheer demand and printing costs, 2010 was the last year that I mass produced the calendars and starting with the 2011 Calendar each year I have only made them for myself and a few close friends.
This year's calendar was completed on Christmas day 2016.
At first glance it may appear simply as a loving mother helping to teach her beloved son how to ride a bicycle. But it is more than that. Note the position of the son's legs. His left leg is inserted through the triangle portion of the main frame. This is referred to as riding "triangle-style"
Sixty-five years ago bicycles were the only affordable private transportation households could afford, and even then cost two months' salary. Most families had only one bicycle, the "family bicycle". Only affluent households had children's bicycles. The vast majority of children growing up in the early to mid-1950's learned to ride a bicycle using the "family" bicycle which was typically a men's 26 inch all steel diamond frame. The top tube presented a challenge as the child's legs were to short to reach the pedals. But "where there is a will, there is a way" and children rode adult bicycles despite their legs being too short to reach the pedals by employing an acrobatic-like technique known as"riding triangle style"SANKAKU-NORI (三角乗り).
Each year I continue to receive requests for Vintage Japanese Bicycle calendars; however, as previously mentioned, due to printing costs and time contsraints I am currently unable to fulfill the requests. My sincere apologies. But, rest assured that when time and resources avail I shall once again produce calendars. Until then, stay trued and may the wind always be at your back and the road ahead a smooth one.
Happy wheels in 2017!