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I was curious about this too and did some searching. Found this source

https://www.oldphotosjapan.com/photos/882/19th-century-japan...

as well as the wikipedia page

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hikyaku

I didn't see anything about tattoos or the eye makeup, but the loincloth definitely came up. That was their typical clothing, regardless of weather, although I find kind of hard to believe.

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Interesting.

I wonder how easy it is to run distances carrying a pole?

>I didn't see anything about tattoos or the eye makeup, but the loincloth definitely came up. That was their typical clothing, regardless of weather, although I find kind of hard to believe.

Maybe that was just while they were running? And the way station provided some warm clothing when they stopped?

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