Tall Eboshi-shaped fire hood for a samurai, made of hand-spun cotton, both outside and inside, and dyed with vegetable indigo. In Edo period, the town of Edo often suffered from massive fires, so that "machi hikeshi" by town people as well as "samurai hikeshi" were organized. This hood was worn by a samurai together with samurai fire costume when the fire broke out. In good condition except for slight dirt in the top part. The piping is silk. 19th century. W:53cm, L:69cm

Fireman's hanten made of thick cotton and hand-stitched sashiko (quilting). It has hand painted "Edo Machi Hikeshi" (town fireman) with "Matoi" which was hold by fireman to show his own "Kumi", brigade. It also has hand painted birds and waves design inside. 19th century. In good condition. W:118cm, L:91cm

Girl's hanten worn at the festival or ceremony with the girl's name "Kimiko" in front. Itis made of hand-spun cotton and cotton lining with katazome (stencil-resist-dye) crane motif. In excellent condition except for two tiny holes in front. Late 19th to early 20th century. W:73cm, L:53cm

Two pairs of fireman's gloves made of cotton and hand-stitched sashiko. Long ones are used but in good condition. Short one look almost new. The second half of the 19th century. Long gloves L:40cm, W:17cm. Short gloves L:24cm, W:14cm

Kajibanten (fireman's jacket) with sashiko, made of cotton. It has hand-drawn "shachi" motif, which is a mythical carp with the head of a lion and the body of a fish and it is an auspicious protecter. Generally, in good condition but some wear in the neck and brownish stain near hem. 19th century. W:122cm, L:87cm

Maiwai is a kimono having been given to fishermen from a fish boat owner on the occasion of the large catch. It is seen along the Pacific Ocean, from Aomori to Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka prefecture. The motifs of the picture are auspicious ones such as crane, turtle, large sake cup and sea birds, and also the name of boat in the banner with katazome (stencil-resist-dye). It is vegetable indigo dye and colored with pigments...

Cotton cloth, called "yu-age”, which is used for a newborn baby. It is ordered by parents of a mother as a congratulatory gift. It has tsutsugaki auspicious motifs, such as a crane, a turtle, pine tree, plum blooms and bamboos. Red part in the top corner is for wiping baby's face, because red color is thought to be good for baby's eyes. It is from Izumo region in Shimane prefecture. In good condition, but the red and indigo blue are a bit faded. Meiji period (1868∼1912）65㎝ x 103cm

Kake-fukusa, a gift cover, used on the occasion of auspicious events. It is made of tapestry weave silk with two performers motif, one is wearing Daikoku costume with a gavel. Two men look Kado-tsuke, strolling musicians or performers who play dancing and music in front of houses and get some money. In good condition but damage in the black Eboshi (hat) of the man with a fan. Meiji period (1868~1912) 62cm x 67cm

Kake-fukusa which is used to cover a gift on the occasion of auspicious events. It is made of tapestry weave silk with auspicious omen motifs, pine tree, plum tree with bloom and bamboo. Generally, in good condition except for a rift of the black yarn in the pine tree circle and some stains in the blue ground, and also three holes in the red silk lining in the back. Meiji period (1868~1912) 67cm x 72cm

Kake-Fukusa, a gift cover made of tapestry weave silk with carp and stream design. It is used to cover a gift on the auspicious event. The family crest (kamon) is Umebachi-mon. Four tassels are metal yarn. Generally, in good condition, but has light stains in blue ground and white waves. Meiji period (1868~1912) 63xm x 63cm

Rice bag made of fragments of hand-spun cotton with stripes, katazome (stencil-resist-dye) and checks, all vegetable indigo and brown dye. The cord is cotton. Kome-bukuro was used when people dedicated rice to temples or shrines. In excellent condition except for several mending. The first half of the 20th century. W:44cm, H:33cm

DECORATIVE HORSE ROPE

Tied-up rope made of twisting white and organic indigo dyed cotton once used for ritual horse-decoration, early 20th century, Japan. Tied as seen: approx. 30 x 90 x D 18 cm (11.81 x 35.43 x 7.08 in), Untied: approx. 1000 cm (393.70in)...

Fireman's hat with hand-stitched sashiko (quilting). The outside cloth is dyed with vegetable indigo and the lining is dyed with natural brown. Two belts are recycled from old cotton cloth with katazome. In good condition. Meiji period (1868～1912). W:33cm, L:55cm

Huge cotton cloth with dynamic and vivid Shishi (lion), peonies, waves and tachibana (citrus) with tsutsugaki (glue resist dye). The tsutsugaki technique is excellent and lines are very smooth and powerful by a prominent craftsperson. Judging from the shape and size, it might have been used for "Shishimai" (lion dance) at the festival, held in Fukui, Toyama or Ishikawa Prefecture. In excellent condition. Meiji period (1969～1912)

A pair of fireman's globes made of indigo dye cotton with sashiko (quilting) with cotton yarn. Used but in good condition. 19th to early 20th century. W:16cm, L:43cm

Almost square fukusa, or ceremonial cover, made of silk, hand-decorated in yuzen dye technique (mineral colors and gold flakes) and with gold thread embroidery. Image of two open folding fans, connected with red noshi-threads. On the top fan are chrysanthemums along a stream; the bottom fan is decorated with cranes flying above pine trees near the sea...

Almost square fukusa or ceremonial cloth or cover. Two hand-embroidered diamond shaped white silk emblems of a pair of cranes, enhanced by gold-thread outlines, on a kikko hanabishi background in multicolor yuzen dye technique between two bands of bright orange-red. Some of the flowers in the kikko hanabishi ground are hand-embroidered...

Uchishiki which is one of temple decorations put under the altar. This one is made of "hangiri" (pants), which is one of No costumes. It is made of blue ground silk satin with "hiun and uroko" (flying cloud and fish scale) design with gold treads. It has kanji letters "Meiji 5 (1873)"in the back, however it is the date when it was dedicated, so the age of the cloth might have been from late Edo period. Real gold thread is woven for the design...