Why were Japanese firefighter uniforms made from COTTON?

Australian clothing designer and commentator Ken Sakata @frontoffice.co joins Powerhouse in an ongoing series exploring the cultural and historical significance of key objects from the Powerhouse Collection. Ken examines a Japanese fireman’s five piece outfit (Object No. A9721) and explains how this cotton uniform was used to fight fires in Shōwa-period Japan. Read more: www.powerhouse.com.au/stories/powerhouse-collection-with-ken-sakata