Manuscript on paper, entitled on upper cover “Shirushi banten tehon” 印半天手本 “Pattern Book of Livery Jackets for Firemen .”

by Firemen’S Jackets

$4,750 · Offered by Jonathan A. Hill Bookseller

28 finely colored full-page drawings of jackets. 14 folding leaves. 8vo 228 x 157 mm. , orig. semi-stiff wrappers rubbed , new stitching. Japan : late Edo. This attractive manuscript illustrates an array of shirushi banten 印半天 or 印半纏 — livery coats characterized by distinctive insignia shirushi . Worn by samurai retainers, artisans, tradesmen, and notably fire brigades, these coats communicated group identity, guild

• Binding: Wrappers

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