Antique firefighter's Hikeshi-Banten, Incredible rare Edo period jacket. During this time in Japan there were many wooden buildings so firefighting was an important job, many of the firefighters had a very high status and were proud of their roles.
These jackets were intricately decorated for the individual wearer, hand dyed with natural indigo dye, and tsutsugaki which is a resist dye technique. They are sashiko stitched with layers of fabric.
In a fire these jackets were soaked in water to protect them in a fire, this would make them weigh up to 30kg.
Purchased from a famous family's storehouse in Japan. A beautiful and very wearable jacket in excellent condition.
