Daimyo Firefighter’s Ensemble (Kaji shōzoku)

first half 19th century

Not on view

Returned to lender

This work of art was on loan to the museum and has since been returned to its lender.

Samurai firefighters were responsible for protecting important government locations such as Edo Castle, shrines and rice storehouses, certain public areas of Edo, and their daimyo’s residence and surroundings. This rare and elegant ensemble of a jacket, plastron or breastplate, sash, and hakama pants would not have been worn to extinguish fires. Rather, this set was made for a samurai who—on fire duty in service of his daimyo—safeguarded the area to prevent looting, supervised the scene, evacuated people, and perhaps gave instructions to firefighters. The use of expensive wool (rasha) imported from Europe signifies the importance of this role and the wearer’s high social rank. The collar and lapels, lined with white satin-weave silk figured with fretwork and flowers, are embellished with a pair of stylized dragons, one on each side, in raised gold embroidery.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

大名火事装束
Title: Daimyo Firefighter’s Ensemble (Kaji shōzoku)
Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
Date: first half 19th century
Culture: Japan
Medium: Wool (rasha)
Dimensions: Jacket (a): 44 in. × 51 1/2 in. (111.8 × 130.8 cm)
Hakama (b): 39 in. × 2 1/2 in. (99.1 × 6.4 cm)
Belt (c): 2 3/4 × 60 1/2 in. (7 × 153.7 cm)
Plastron (d): 23 in. × 11 1/4 in. (58.4 × 28.6 cm)
Classification: Costumes
Credit Line: Lent by John C. Weber Collection
Curatorial Department: Asian Art