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Specific Techniques

The stitching technique used on the many layers of quilted cloth is called sashiko.

Description

Grey-green hikeshi banten (火消し半纏) or firefighter's coat or jacket, a type of hanten (半纏) with short sleeves and printed designs. Around the neck and centre opening is a wide navy-blue band. The sleeves are edged with navy blue trim. On the back is a large barefoot figure with flowing brown hair against a background of vines and waves. The waves reach around to the front sleeves and lower panels. The inside is navy blue and unlined.

History Of Use

Hikeshi banten (火消し半纏) or firefighter's coat or jacket is a type of hanten. Hanten (袢纏, also written as 半天, 袢天, 半纏) is a casual wear and there are different styles of hanten for different uses. It is worn as a winter jacket/coat, a workman’s jacket, by traditional shopkeepers or during a festival. It is likely this jacket was specially commissioned by a firefighter in the hope that it would offer him both physical and supernatural protection. It would have protected the fireman from blows, because it was made from many layers of cloth quilted together with closely spaced rows of strong, even stitching. These layers of cloth could absorb and retain water. Depicted on the back of the coat is likely a Dragon God, or Water Spirit, called Ryujin. During firefighting, the coat would have been worn with the image inside, both to avoid damage to the design and for reasons of modesty. Once the fire had been extinguished, the coat may have been reversed, rather like a combatant might do after a fierce battle.