Japanese Fireman Hood with Stencil Inscription Meiji Period

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A well-preserved Japanese fireman's hood (known as hikeshi zukin in Japanese) circa 1900s, late Meiji period. Woven with thick cotton … Read more A well-preserved Japanese fireman's hood (known as hikeshi zukin in Japanese) circa 1900s, late Meiji period. Woven with thick cotton with sashiko (cotton thread quilting) and katazome (stencil resist dye), this is a piece of vernacular textile art in an elaborate design and completely preserved form, a rare example of the survived accoutrement of the fireman's outfits. The hood features a heavily padded crown with three red stripes and stenciled inscription "the third bureau" in circle, two eye openings with flip-down cover and multiple layers of protections, each with distinctive designs and kanji inscription made by stencil resist dyes. The inner most flaps still retain its original button. The inscription indicates the that the hood belonged to the "Third Fireman Bureau" of Uchikawa, a town in Yokosuka city of the Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Yokohama.
The display stand is not included. See less