Fireman's plastron
- DATE:
- late 19th century
- MATERIAL AND TECHNIQUE:
- Cotton, paper, silk, bast fiber (?), metallic strips
- CLASSIFICATION:
- Textiles
- DIMENSIONS:
- Overall: 21 1/8 x 10 3/4 in. (53.658 x 27.31 cm)
- DEPARTMENT:
- Arts of Asia
- LOCATION:
- Not On View
- CREDIT LINE:
- Dallas Museum of Art, anonymous gift
- COPYRIGHT:
- Image courtesy Dallas Museum of Art
- OBJECT NUMBER:
- 1995.7.3
General Description
This plastron, or breastplate, accompanies a fireman's coat and belt [1995.7.1, 1995.7.2]. Japanese fireman's coats were often quilted, to protect the wearer. Before combating a fire, the firefighter would close the earflaps on the hood, cinch the belt, and be drenched in water. The plastron provided additional protection. Firefighters who were employed by samurai wore more elaborate and pictorial coats. While this example was intended for men, women also served as firefighters and wore similar protective clothing.
Excerpt from
- DMA Label text, Crossroads Textile Gallery, 2018.
Web Resources
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Learn more about Meiji period firefighters.