Japanese Fire Coats
Via Firefighter Blog, Cincinnati.com has a cool article about Japanese fire coats from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Just like today's firefighters, Japanese firefighters of the 17th and 18th centuries wore a kind of uniform that not only identified them as firefighters but also as members of a particular unit. Unlike today, the coats were cotton and were stenciled, painted and dyed with a squad's pattern, then tightly quilted. Many reversed to a ceremonial side with fantastic designs plucked from ancient stories, and depicted strong and determined creatures or historic heroes.
Here is the link to the Cincinnati Art Museum where they will be displayed.
