Firefighter's Suit (Kaji shōzoku)
Unknown Artist
late 1700s
Medium
Wool (rasha); applique and silk and gold thread cord
Dimensions
129.9 × 120 cm
Classification
Textile
Department
Japanese Art
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of John C. Weber
Accession Number
2020.423.a
About this artwork
Wood architecture in densely populated areas made firefighting a frequent occurrence in the Edo period (1615–1868). Jackets made of leather or wool offered firefighters protection against the flames. Wool was imported from Europe. The triple ring crest in white is of the “three alternating rings” (mitsurin chigai) type framed in a tortoise shell (kikko) motif, and identified the house with which the wearer was affiliated.