I'm still researching ordinary (highwheel) bicycles, and came across a little factoid that made me smile.
From http://www.eva.hi-ho.ne.jp/
The Dharma - The name for the Ordinary style bicycle of Japan:
The Dharma bicycle is generally considered the Ordinary style of bicycle in Japan. The adoption of this name originated because it resembles in the form that laid. Dharma. It is, needless to say, the highly reputed monk who prepared the foundation of Chinese Zen sect. He was born in India and reached China by sea route in the year 470. He studied in the Mount Songshan Shao-ling temple. The figure called Dharma shows the form how he meditated. After that, people believed that this figure make a happy charm. The Japanese feel familiarity to this Dharma, and sign of exceptional good luck.
Roy "the internet, it's a wonderful thing" Drinkwater Lititz "it's dark out now", PA