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All in all, the time it took to convey messages from Osaka to Edo or vice versa, across 500 km, settled into a standard of six days by the end of the 17th century; in the 18th century, as the economy boomed and road and river traffic increased, delays due to congestion and other factors increased as well, and what once took six days now more frequently took ten or twelve. Meanwhile, however, commercial messenger services sought ways to cut down their times, and soon ''haya hikyaku'' (quick messengers) were making the journey in five, four, or as little as three and a half days, gaining time by running at night, and by making stops at fewer stations. In the 19th century, messengers somehow managed to cut the time even further, making the journey in as little as two days. However, these super express services were quite expensive, costing as much as four, or even eight or nine ''[[ryo|ryô]]'' for three-and-a-half day delivery of a message.
All in all, the time it took to convey messages from Osaka to Edo or vice versa, across 500 km, settled into a standard of six days by the end of the 17th century; in the 18th century, as the economy boomed and road and river traffic increased, delays due to congestion and other factors increased as well, and what once took six days now more frequently took ten or twelve. Meanwhile, however, commercial messenger services sought ways to cut down their times, and soon ''haya hikyaku'' (quick messengers) were making the journey in five, four, or as little as three and a half days, gaining time by running at night, and by making stops at fewer stations. In the 19th century, messengers somehow managed to cut the time even further, making the journey in as little as two days. However, these super express services were quite expensive, costing as much as four, or even eight or nine ''[[ryo|ryô]]'' for three-and-a-half day delivery of a message.
==Within Cities==
While various messenger services operated for conveying messages or packages between cities, similar services emerged within the cities. Enterprising commoners who had made money helping to recruit workers for daimyô mansions and for shops and businesses also often found themselves doing courier work as well; the demand for courier services conveying messages or packages within the cities grew, and eventually many of these entrepreneurs found themselves serving solely as couriers (or even operating courier businesses with multiple employees); what began as a case-by-case basis became a fixed schedule of fees and rates, and delivery speeds and times.
==References==
==References==