Happi

For the Bollywood film, seeHappi (film).

Not to be confused withHappyorHapi.

Women at afestivalwearing ahappi

Edward,Prince of Wales(centre), laterEdward VIIIof the United Kingdom, wearing ahappi

Ahappi(Pháp bị / bán bị)is a traditional tube-sleevedJapanesecoat,usually worn only duringfestivals.Happitypically feature symbols and/or text on the lapels, with a larger design on the back of the coat, typically the name or the festival or the participating association; thekanjifor ('festival'(Tế り,matsuri)) may also be present.

Originally worn for display of themon,or family emblem,happiwere worn byhouse servantsas a uniform.Firefightersalso worehappicoats, with the crest on the back of the coat displaying the group with which they were associated;these were distinct from thehikeshi sashiko banten(lit. 'embroidered fireman's jacket') also worn by firefighters, constructed from heavily-quilted cotton layers designed to hold a large quantity of water and thus protect the wearer. In theEdo period,firefighters were paid not only for actual firefighting activity but also for promptness and presence at the scene of a fire. Thus, wearing conspicuoushappiand dancing on intact roofs near fires withmatoiwas essential for them.

In English, the termhappiis most often translated as "happi coat" or "happy coat".Happiare typically blue, with designs in red, black, and white, though variations with a number of different colours are also seen in modern day Japan. Modernhappicoats may be made ofcottonorpolyesterfabrics.