Fireman’s hood (hikeshi-zukin) with family crest, late 19th-early 20th century
Unknown Japaneseexpand_more
Cloth: cotton; sashiko (decorative reinforcement stitching), katazome (stencil resist)expand_more
The John R. Van Derlip Fund and the Mary Griggs Burke Endowment Fund established by the Mary Livingston Griggs and Mary Griggs Burke Foundation; purchase from the Thomas Murray Collectionexpand_more 2019.20.123
Not on Viewexpand_more
This hood of quilted cotton completely covers the head and neck, except for the eyes. It is designed to protect the wearer from both heat and falling debris. The exterior is dyed with indigo, and the interior is dyed red with a motif of undyed white squares.
The character centered on the forehead is karu 刈, meaning “cutting,” which may refer to a unit charged with razing structures to prevent the spread of fire. While water and buckets were stored across the city, they were of limited use to stop large blazes. Often, firefighters would contain fires by flattening burning structures with long, hooked poles and grappling hooks.
Details
- Title
- Fireman’s hood (hikeshi-zukin) with family crest
- Role
- Maker
- Accession Number
- 2019.20.123
- Catalogue Raisonne
- Murray et al. 2018, pl. 57
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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