Lot 118
A JAPANESE FIRE FIGHTERS JACKET.
A Japanese Fire Fighters Jacket in a style from the days of private regulated Samurai staffed fire companies. The heavy material would be doused in water, then the drying cloth soaked when it again became heated. The blue/brown finish also bears several markings of the details of area, company etc. On the lapels, and the back which bears a large Mon type of device.
In a small size 34-36" approx, with decorative lining
Fires were worse in Edo (now Tokyo) with its huge sprawling areas of Samurai and Merchant classes. So many fires in fact that Arsonists and Accidents were treated to the same punishments. A Samurai who committed arson was beheaded and his body used for Sword Testing, such was the penalty for a ruling class Arsonist if found guilty. The poorer classes were merely burnt to death, for their proven crimes, both being very final in their 'justice'
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