Traditional coat "hikeshi banten", Meiji/ Taishō period (about 1910-15)

Description

quilted (sashiko) cotton cloth, faded indigo blue,
These coats were worn by firefighters.They were soaked in water before fighting a fire in order to protect its wearer from the flames. The garment’s fabric was thick to shield him from falling objects.

A bold, legible pattern on the back (“kanji”) identified the fireman’s brigade. Present jacket is from the first section of the firefighting group of the city of Nagoya, Chikusa (one of sixteen wards). In the front one can read some infos about the fireman, his name and rank.