Guess this time I need some help from my dear Japanese readers...
When we each received one, at the Sayonara party in July of 2007, I guess we were told it was a Japanese Fireman's Happi-Coat.
But I don't know anything about it.
But I don't know anything about it.
If you know more about its meaning, according to the Kanji symbols, please let me know!
Yes, I was fortunate to be one of two chaperones (pictured to the right) and also the team leader, for a group of 6 teenagers from Dublin, Georgia to visit our Sister City of Osaki in Japan.
We all received such a heavy, black cotton, Fireman's Happi-Coat!
Sorry, but I cannot read these characters in Kanji...
~0~
Okay, here is the FULL explanation; thanks to blogger friend Miyako from Orchid's Daily Voice:
~0~
Okay, here is the FULL explanation; thanks to blogger friend Miyako from Orchid's Daily Voice:
The fireman's happi-coat is made of thick cotton (I think yours as well) and it soaks water well. They used to wear them pouring water over themselves to fight against fire.
Nowadays the coats are mainly for ceremonies.
The Kanji characters mean:
Osaki-city must have Sanbongi-town; its town's name. Yes Sanbongi-town is where we stayed!
means 'fire company'
and means 'head of the company'.
Nowadays the coats are mainly for ceremonies.
The Kanji characters mean:
Osaki-city must have Sanbongi-town; its town's name. Yes Sanbongi-town is where we stayed!
means 'fire company'
and means 'head of the company'.
The large Kanji in the back resembles the very same as the top 3 on the front's left side...
But to me it is a puzzle!
But to me it is a puzzle!
It did not come with a sash so I had to make my own.
With a roll of Offray ribbon and some DMC cotton thread, I managed...
Shiny DMC 5, black cotton thread from France.
Yep, two hand crocheted belt loops and I did sew them onto the cotton fabric.
For the sash I did stitch two layers of ribbon together after first having made a diagonal seam in both ends.
Here I am wearing my Japanese Happi-Coat, complete with self-made sash and together with the Zori Sandals...
Photo is taken on our balcony next to last year's polyurethane balustrades from Vintage Woodworks, Texas on the Italian CERDOMUS ceramiche tiles that Pieter laid himself.
Photo is taken on our balcony next to last year's polyurethane balustrades from Vintage Woodworks, Texas on the Italian CERDOMUS ceramiche tiles that Pieter laid himself.
Related link:
{10 Things to Learn from Japan... after the Earthquake and Tsunami!} | previous post by me showing the special LOVE gift I bought for the mayor of our Sister-City
{Japanese Yubikan from 1692 that I visited at Iwadeyama Osaki JAPAN, collapsed by earthquake} | previous post by me showing our group during visit of building that collapsed...
{News from Our Sister-City Osaki in JAPAN + Join NISSAN with Donation!} | previous post by me showing pictures from my visit
it is a beautiful coat.
ReplyDeleteDearest Theresa,
DeleteIt sure is and I bet I will learn more about it too!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette,
ReplyDeleteyou look wonederful in this coat :O)
Happy week,
Love and hugs,
Claudia
Dearest Claudia,
DeleteThank you and I'm so glad to know what it was all about!
Hugs,
Mariette
lieve mariette ,
ReplyDeleteJammer genoeg kan ik je er ook niet mee helpen ..
ik ben benieuwd na de reacties van de japanse lezers ..
maar je bet er een mooie gordel voor gemaakt .
een fijne dag ..veel liefs
Lieve Nieneke,
DeleteJa hoor, ik ben er al achter en ik heb het er boven in mijn post ook ingezet. Kon helaas de japanse characters niet overnemen...
Kan hem goed gebruiken zo.
Liefs,
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeleteTheresa schreibt es immer gut. Da kann ich zustimmen.
Sonnige Grüße
Elisabeth
Liebe Elisabeth,
DeleteJa und nun wissen wir auch wie und weswegen diese Feuermannsjacke benutzt wurde. Sie ist so dick aus Baumwolle damit es viel Wasser aufsaugen könnte womit die Männer sich übergossen haben um so in das Feuer zu gehen zum hand löschen...
Nur noch decorative heute.
Lieber Gruss,
Mariette
Ik had het niet direct als een brandweer jas gezien. Meer als een soort huisjasje. Het staat je goed.
ReplyDeleteBeste Marianne,
DeleteJa, voor mij is het nu een echte huisjas en tegenwoordig is het ook alleen nog maar ceremoniëel. Je kunt nu het antwoord lezen in mijn blogpost. Heb het aangevuld en het is interessant en ook best moedig geweest in vroegere tijden!
Liefs,
Mariette
Dear Mariette,you look so preety in your Japanese Happi-Coat!The Sayonara Party must been very interesting!Like the Japanese colture!Have a lovely day!Hugs!
ReplyDeleteDimi...
Dearest Dimi,
DeleteThank you and more important we all now know its full meaning. I have added it to my post, thanks to blogger friend Miyako from Japan.
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi, Dearest Mariette; Oh, all eight member's smile made me really happy as well, which must prove the lovely time you all had♡♡♡ The fireman's happi-coat is made of thick cotton (I think yours as well) and it soaks water well. They used to wear them pouring water over themselves to fight against fire. Nowadays the coats are mainly for ceremonies. Osaki-city must have Sanbongi-town(三本木- 町); its town's name. 消防団 means 'fire company' and 分団長 means 'head of the company'.
ReplyDeleteYour hand made sash looks wonderful matching with happi♪ Great to see the flags of two countries at the sayonara party and SO happy for the precious experiences especially the young ones had in Japan.
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
Dearest Miyako,
DeleteThank you SO VERY MUCH for your full explanation! Yes, before Sanbongi-town merged to become Osaki-city, it was named like that! It is also the town where all of us stayed and I was in the home of a Zen monk, with his family. The son was also a Zen monk...
With the sash together I now can wear it and with many washings it will slowly soften up a bit. It is indeed very heavy and thick cotton but now I know WHY!
Yes, all 8 of us had a super time!
Hugs,
Mariette
Wow how wonderful you've got fireman's happi! The happi is very cool! You look very 粋! (This is pronounced "Iki." We use this word to describe refined/cool/stylish,etc.)
ReplyDeleteMiyako san gave the perfect explanation about happi. And your sash matches it perfectly!
Dearest Tamago,
DeleteThank you for your kind words! Yes, I was very happy with Miyako san's great explanation. Wish they had given us a small piece of paper with the complete story instead of just saying this is a fireman's coat... It is remarkable how they used it by dousing themselves with water in order to stay safe, while distinguishing a fire.
Glad I now can wear it and it will become somewhat softer over time with enough washing.
Hugs,
Mariette
It is a lovely coat and you did a great job with the sash. Must have been a wonderful trip. We hope to make it to Japan one day as my husband as business contacts there who would like us to visit. Of course, my oldest son says we aren't allowed to go without him. Ha! Have a great day. Tammy
ReplyDeleteDearest Tamago,
DeleteThank you and yes, I love it now even more so, being able to wear it and also knowing its full function back in time!
It will be hard for you to put all travels on hold while your oldest son is in college... That means you have to put things on hold again for the youngest. You for sure will make it to Japan one day and it is such a lovely country with a very rich culture and delicious food!
Hugs,
Mariette
Hi Mariette,
ReplyDeleteWish I could help you on the happi coat, but unfortunately I can't. I see that Miyako already explained to you. That's good. The coat looks lovely on you!
Happy weekend!
Madelief x
Dearest Madelief,
DeleteIndeed, Miyako did help me out in a great way and I do cherish this lovely authentic piece in which brave men controlled the fire.
It does make a great house coat and I love it!
Hugs,
Mariette
Dearest Mariette, what an interesting post!!!! And thanks to your dear friend Miyako, you were able to find out more about the japanese happi-coat. With the sash you made, it looks perfect on you!
ReplyDeleteMany hugs, dear friend!
Dearest Marie-Anne,
DeleteThank you very much and yes, now the story is complete! Blogger friends are there to help each other and it is lovely to share some cultural knowledge.
Now the weather will get a bit cooler, this Happi-coat will be great to wear!
Sending you big hugs,
Mariette
How adorable you look in your Happi ("Happy") coat. Great gams, Mariette. I have a dear friend who volunteers her time as a guide at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and she specializes in Japanese art. I must pass this along to her. I know she'll love it.
ReplyDeleteBig bisous, ma chère,
M-T
Dearest Marie-Thérèse,
DeleteThank you for the compliments and yes, for anyone interested in Japanese art and culture will love this fascinating explanation about its former use. One can only admire those brave firemen that doused themselves with water in order to stay safe when distinguishing a nasty fire.
Glad to share this, with Miyako's help!
Hugs to you and a happy weekend coming your way.
Mariette
Charming! You look great, Mariette!
ReplyDeleteDearest Sarah,
DeleteThank you dear!
Hugs,
Mariette
Mariette sei fenomenale! Stai benissimo con questo look giapponese e complimenti per la tua creatività e per la tua continua voglia di provare, sperimentare, e rapportarti con ogni angolo del Mondo. Buon fine settimana. Paola
ReplyDeleteGrazie carissima Paola ed è un piacere per chiedere i miei amici blogger giapponese spiegare circa questo capo unico e storico. Abbastanza coraggiosa per se stessi bagnando con acqua in questo cappotto di cotone pesante, solo per evitare di ustionarsi come un combattente del fuoco.
DeleteCon la fascia, io ora goditela! Buon fine settimana a voi.
Baci,
Mariette
Dearest Marette,
ReplyDeleteI love to talk about OSAKA-City I had reading for until 40 years ago?, sence I don't know about firemen use the happpie -coat..I was very happy Dear Mariette understand from Miyako san,thank you very much!
We having a nice day for few days!
Hugs and love to you!
Michiko
Dearest Michiko,
DeleteNo I cannot talk about Osaka-city as I never did visit... But our exchange was between Osaki-city. The story about the firemen's Happi-coat is very unique and historic and I sure am glad with Miyako san's help. Now I know what I am wearing with the added sash.
Sending you hugs and love,
Mariette
My dear friend Mariette,
ReplyDeleteYou look so beautiful in your Happi coat, and what a nice and interesting post you share with us. I'm very happy your friend Miyako explained more about it. Send you a big hug,
Love
Laura
Dearest Laura,
DeleteThank you dear. Those cultural and historical things are quite interesting and why not share them. Sure, I owe it to Miyako for explaining all about it!
Big hugs to you as well, we were traveling so that's why I react somewhat late...
Hugs and happy weekend.
Mariette
Liebe Mariette,
ReplyDeletedu siehst mal wieder zauberhaft aus - mit der super Figur steht dir alles -
wir waren in der Nähe von Arft und Langscheid in der Eifel - in der Nähe des Nürburgrings -
es war wunderschön -
liebe Grüße - Ruth
Liebe Ruth,
DeleteDanke, so mit dem selbst genähter Gürtel kann ich diese geschenkte Jacke auf unsere Japan Reise, auch wirklich tragen.
Wir müssen da auch öfters gewesen sein aber nicht in der richtigen Zeit für die Heide. Traumhaft schöne Bilder hast du gezeigt.
Liebe Wochenendgrüsse,
Mariette
Mariette cara,sei fortissima e sei bellissima con il Kimono!!
ReplyDeleteAmmiro tantissimo la tua voglia di fare e di muoverti sempre!!
Io sono come te!! ;-)
Un abbraccio cara amica mia!!
A presto!!
Sabry!!
Cara Sabry,
DeleteGrazie mille per le tue parole molto carine.
Questo cappotto ho avuto per diversi anni, ma con la fascia self-made ora io posso indossare. Qui potete leggere quello che realmente era:
Happi-cappotto il vigile del fuoco è fatto di cotone spessi e in assorbe acqua bene. Usavano indossare loro versando acqua sopra loro stessi, per la lotta contro gli incendi. Al giorno d'oggi i cappotti sono principalmente per le cerimonie. Osaki-città deve avere Sanbongi-town(三本木-町); nello nome della città. 消防団 significa 'fuoco azienda' e 分団長 significa 'capo dei vigili del fuoco'.
Buona domenica e baci,
Mariette
Querida Marietta! Esa eres tu? Que guapa te ves amiga querida ! Que tengas un lindo fin de semana
ReplyDeleteBesos
Querida Angélica,
DeleteSí, era yo en la foto de los grupos de la derecha y la otra foto es de mí, ahora... He cosido un cinturón con bucles de ganchillo, puedo ahora también desgaste este chaqueta bomberos histórico de Japon.
Besitos y un feliz domingo.
Mariette
Wow you do look good I like the jacket
ReplyDeleteDearest Jo-Anne,
DeleteThank you and now I really can wear it with the sash added.
Hugs,
Mariette
It must be an honor to have a coat like that.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Coisas de Feltro
Dearest Christina,
DeleteIt sure was and I am wearing it now, just got out of the shower after shampooing my hair. Love its heavy cotton and with the added sash it is functional.
Hugs,
Mariette