cool little jacket

[jeremiah]

thought I would put this up for discussion. Matsuri coat

 

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/407773_10150422270696330_594651329_8909522_219134154_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/395992_10150422270776330_594651329_8909523_1208785534_n.jpg

[Surfson]

Says "ichiban" on the back. Is this made for the tourist trade?

[Guido]

These short coats are called Happi 法被 and were traditionally worn by firefighters, workers and shop attendants. You'll still see them at festivals, on the front often with a shop name, and on the back either a huge Kamon/Shop mark, or saying "Matsuri", "Ichiban" or something like that.

[Baka Gaijin]

Morning all,

 

I was told the overstitch common on real examples of a Fireman's jacket was called Sashiko Ori and that it was the origin of the Jackets (Uwagi) commonly used in Judo and Kendo.

 

Cheers

[Nobody]

The second picture is horizontally flipped. The correct characters are 小頭 (Kogashira = subforeman).

[Jimmy R]

During the various festivals in Japan you always see the vendors wearing coats like that. It is kind of like a vendors uniform.

Jim