It has been very important for me to understand that everything about Japanese design -from buildings to fashion- follows a deeper meaning, rather than just the shape itself.
Happi is a traditional straight sleeved Japanese coat that firefighters wore during the Edo Period, as they were made out of a very resistant cotton which they sprayed with water. It has a reversible design: on one side it is dark, meant for protection during their duty. On the other, it has a beautiful Japanese scene which may include a dragon or a tiger. The firefighters would wear happi on this side after the fire has been extinguished, so the crowd could receive them.
Practical and beautiful, that is how design should be.
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