A Japanese firefighter happi jacket is a traditional Japanese work coat made for members of a local fire brigade. Unlike a general festival happi, this type of garment carries the identity of the group it belongs to through its collar lettering and large back crest.

Dating from around the late Showa to early Heisei period, this one-of-a-kind piece is made from faded charcoal-gray cotton with bold red-and-white stripes across the shoulders, sleeves, and hem. The strong contrast gives the jacket a distinctive visual presence, while the large crest on the back makes it immediately recognizable from a distance.

The front and back tell different parts of the story. When worn open, the collar lettering and layered stripes create a graphic workwear look. From behind, the large crest becomes the main feature, carrying the memory of the fire brigade and the local community it represented.

This is more than a generic Japanese vintage jacket or a costume piece. It is regional Japanese workwear with a specific history, suitable for wearing as a graphic outer layer, collecting, displaying, or using as a one-of-a-kind material for handmade and remake projects. Only one is available.

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Styling

Wear it open over a T-shirt or shirt with wide-leg trousers, denim, or monpe pants. The faded cotton and red-and-white stripes give it a strong graphic presence, while the large back crest makes it especially striking from behind.

It can also be worn as a lightweight layer in summer air conditioning or displayed with the back facing outward.

Measurements

• Length: 76 cm / 29.9 in
• Chest width, measured flat from underarm to underarm: 68 cm / 26.8 in
• Shoulder width: 65 cm / 25.6 in
• Sleeve length: 35.5 cm / 14.0 in
• Sleeve width: 27 cm / 10.6 in
• Sleeve opening width: 23 cm / 9.1 in

Please allow for minor measurement variations.
Model height: 171 cm.

Condition

This is a vintage garment with visible wear and damage.

The stitching under one arm is missing, leaving an open hole. On the inside of the sleeve cuff, stitching is missing and the fabric is torn. The collar is frayed, the hem has damage, and the cotton fabric has an overall faded appearance.

We have washed the garment twice, but a characteristic vintage odor remains. Further washing or wearing may cause the existing damage to develop or the odor to return. These changes are not grounds for a refund or exchange.

Please do not purchase if you are looking for a new or flawless garment. This piece is best suited to customers who appreciate historic Japanese workwear in its original worn condition, or who wish to wear, collect, display, or remake it.

As with all vintage items, there may be minor signs of age beyond those described. Import duties and taxes, if charged by your country, are the responsibility of the customer. All sales are final.

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