You will never be as cool as a Tokyo firefighter in the middle of the 19th century wearing this cotton hanten. Doused in water when going out to fight the blaze, then turned inside out for the (victorious) return journey. #MementoMori 
On the back is the ghost of Taira no Tomomori (1152-1185), a famous samurai naval commander who atoned for losing his last battle by tying his feet with an anchor and jumping into the ocean. Youthful bravado perhaps, but it takes a lot of commitment to one's job to wear this.
1713 illustration of Edo/Tokyo firefighters. The large white tasseled standards (纏, matoi) where to signal an active fire. These would be stationed on top of nearby roofs and the tassels would indicate the prevailing wind directions. Each unit had their own distinctive matoi.
