Senninbari-Samuhara Vest

[Fortunes Of War]

I was luck yesterday to pick up this senninbari-samuhara vest. I collect a variety of senninbari (1000 stitch belts, etc.), as well as senninriki (articles with the kanji character for "power" placed on them 1000 times). The vest is in nice condition with panels of red cotton knots sewn on both sides of the front. The combination here of red (thread/knots) and white (cloth/material) are particularly auspicious in Asian culture and provide the best of luck when fashioned together. Someone took a small round stamp and placed the requisite 1000 small circles that were later filled with a single knot. The addition of knots, one by one, was intended to create a compounding of good luck to the wearer. The buttons are made from a heavy celluloid and are firmly affixed. Often, the buttons are either missing altogether or one or two are lost. The reverse of the vest has the 4 characters for "samuhara" inked vertically down the back. "Samuhara" was a combination of 4 specific characters that created a mantra that were supposed to have magical properties that protected the wearer, especially from bullets in battle. It can be seen written or printed on good luck paper amulets, senninbari belts, good luck flags, etc.

[muddyboots]

I almost had one a few years back. Very nice!!!!!!

[Fortunes Of War]

Thank you the nice comment! These came in all sorts of styles: some have the hinomaru or red sun centered on the reverse, with the stitches on the front. Others may have images painted on them. Tigers seemed to be a theme, although finding one with a tiger painted on it is not at all common. Senninriki vests or "power" vests are a lot less common or more rare but seem to be collected less than their senninbari cousins, although I'm not sure why.

[RussM]

Very nice vest!

 

There is such a variety of personalised items such as this one that they are a great subject to collect.

 

Regards

 

Russ

[tiger41]

Nice vest Mike !

[Fortunes Of War]

Thanks again guys for the compliments! I have to add that the probable reason that these are less often collected has to do with the fact that they would be worn under a coat or tunic, where they cannot be seen. That being true, those who collect "real Japanese militaria" (that's a tip of the hat to you John!), would probably rather invest in a helmet, sword or other item.

[tiger41]

Just defending my corner of the collecting market Mike.......headgear rules !!!!!!!!