Happi

Women at a matsuri wearing a happi

Happi (法被, 半被) is a traditional Japanese straight-sleeved coat, usually made of indigo or brown cotton, and imprinted with a distinctive crest. Originally these represented the crest of a family, as happi were worn by house servants. Later, happi commonly began to display the crest of shops and organisations. Also, in the old days, firefighters wore it, and the symbol on their back meant the group they are associated with. In Edo era, firefighers were paid not by firefighting activity, but existence and promptness at the scene. So, wering conspicuous happi and dancing on intact roof near fire with matoi was essential for them. In English, it is most often used as "happi coat", or "happy coat"