Fireman's coat, Japan, late 1800s–early 1900s. Quilted (sashiko) cotton cloth with freehand paste-resist decoration (tsutsugaki); 37 x 23 1/2 in. Neusteter Textile Collection at the Denver Art Museum: Gift of Mrs. Simon Guggenheim by exchange, 1999.265.

height: 37 in, 93.9800 cm; width: 23.5 in, 59.6900 cm; sleeve length: 12.375 in, 31.4325 cm

Avenir Institute of Textile Arts and Fashion

Textile Arts and Fashion-Asian

Japanese firemen's coats are reversible. When fighting fires, the coat was worn as shown, together with close-fitting trousers, a hood, and gloves. Saturated with water, these garments gave protection against flames. A bold, legible pattern on the back identified the fireman’s brigade. For festive occasions, the pictorial side faced outward. This coat shows the Toad Spirit offering to teach the robber Jiraya magic, provided he used it only to benefit humanity.

Purchased December 1999 from Mary Hunt Kahlenberg [Tai Gallery, Santa Fe, NM] by the Denver Art Museum

• "Cover Story," May 17, 2013 - April 27, 2014 (DAM)