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Art of Asia
Course: Art of Asia > Unit 4
Lesson 11: Edo period (1615–1868)- Edo period, an introduction
- Tea bowl with dragon roundels
- Scenes from The Tale of Genji
- Genji Ukifune
- Dog chasing
- A portrait of St. Francis Xavier and Christianity in Japan
- Ogata Kōrin, Red and White Plum Blossoms
- Hon’ami Kōetsu, Folding Screen mounted with poems
- Archery practice
- The evolution of ukiyo-e and woodblock prints
- Utagawa Kunisada I, Visiting Komachi, from the series Modern Beauties as the Seven Komachi
- Hokusai, Under the Wave off Kanagawa (The Great Wave)
- Beyond the Great Wave — Hokusai at 90
- Hokusai’s printed illustrated books
- Hokusai, Five Beautiful Women
- The Floating World of Edo Japan
- Hunting for fireflies
- Street scene in the pleasure quarter of Edo Japan
- Courtesan playing with a cat
- Courtesans of the South Station
- An introduction to Kabuki theater
- The actor Ichikawa Danzo IV in a Shibaraku role
- Fire procession costume
- Arrival of a Portuguese ship
- Matchlock gun and pistol
- Military camp jacket
- Military leader's fan
- An American ship
- The steamship Powhatan
- Conserving the Gan Ku Tiger scroll painting at the British Museum
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Fire procession costume
Who were the Edo firemen?
Fires in Edo Japan (present-day Tokyo) were a constant danger. Buildings were built primarily of wood and paper, and open hearth fires were common. Earthquakes often precipitated terrible fires, and this is a continued threat in Japan today, as realized in the Kobe earthquake of January 17, 1995. Between 1601 and 1806, four major fires destroyed much of the city, and numerous smaller fires caused untold damage and hardship. Merchants expected to be burned out once or twice per decade and planned this expense into their accounts. Firemen, therefore, were important people in Edo society. Their brigades were often organized from samurai ranks. They were heroic figures, who swaggered about town and even affected a special kind of macho lingo. They were much admired and imitated. Fires also held a fascination for the people, and were popularly called the “Flowers of Edo,” a surprising phrase that shows the capacity of Edoites to find humor and beauty even in extreme danger.
How was this costume used?
This costume, consisting of a jacket, bib, and headband, is for ceremonial purposes not firefighting (a fire-fighting outfit consisted of a leather or padded cotton jacket and leggings that were soaked in water to prevent them catching fire). This jacket was probably created for occasions and processions such as the annual fire fighters’ parade, at which firemen showed off their skills. Although fire fighting methods have changed drastically since the Edo period, the parade, known as the Dezome shiki still takes place every January 4, and spectators can view the daring acrobatics of the traditional fire-fighter. A similar jacket to this, made of cheaper material like cotton, was worn by the brigade’s standard bearers to the fire.
What is the decoration?
Every fire brigade in Edo had an identity that was symbolized by its mon (a crest, or a kind of graphic logo). Firemen raced to the scene of a fire behind the standard bearer, who held high a large red lantern boldly painted with the brigade’s mon for all to see. He and his assistants then ascended a nearby building to supervise the efforts of the brigade and warn them of back drafts or changes in the fire’s direction. The mon is repeated three times across the back of the jacket and decorates the bib.
Want to join the conversation?
- " This jacket was probably created for occasions and processions such as the annual fire fighters’ parade, at which firemen showed off their skills as in the photo below."
I don't see any "photo below"...please fix, as I sure would like to see the "photo below"!(9 votes) - im not going to gripe about not seeing the photo but i will ask a question,why did they not have helmets?(2 votes)
- Note that the costume described in the article was for ceremonial use during parades & etc., not for use during firefighting.(1 vote)
- Under the heading "How was this costume used?" the text refers to "...skills as in the photo below." -- where is the photo?(1 vote)
- it was most likely a glich in the software,and it is not a big deal(0 votes)