Children in a traditional minobashi raincoat going to a new year’s event, Niigata prefecture, Japan 1956 [700 x 1041]

6 comments

1. A wild snover appeared!

2. This is the fit. If I have kids, they’re wearing this.

3. Kinda want one of those for walking the dog in the rain.

4. Life was harder before Gore-tex.

5. FWIW, in Niigata (or at least in our town and in our dialect) we usually call them **Sugeboushi** and they’re still in somewhat-regular-use up in the mountains [(video here)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d8uAq7f0PY).

   Side note: If you ever make it to Niigata city, there’s a great [Niigata museum](https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/Niigata+Furusato+Village+Appeal+Hall/@37.8656566,139.020312,20.87z/data=!3m1!5s0x5ff4c61e3aed29f5:0x8ea843e3dc5796e9!4m5!3m4!1s0x5ff4c61e15edd22b:0x3d8a85824499f157!8m2!3d37.8656339!4d139.0202243?hl=en&authuser=0) at a tourist spot called [Furusatomura](https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/%E6%96%B0%E6%BD%9F%E3%81%B5%E3%82%8B%E3%81%95%E3%81%A8%E6%9D%91+%E3%83%90%E3%82%B6%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E9%A4%A8/@37.8656516,139.0171388,15.25z/data=!3m1!5s0x5ff4c61e2ac78623:0xc53c7f994d9ed2e8!4m5!3m4!1s0x5ff4c61e15edd22b:0x6264622b6a2eea5e!8m2!3d37.8661294!4d139.0199969?hl=en&authuser=0). It’s free to enter and there is a lot to see about local customs and history. When you’re done you can walk across to Furusatomura and take your pick of local specialties – sake, rice, metallurgical products, and more.

   I recommend taking the [Water Shuttle](https://www.watershuttle.co.jp/cruise/piers_03/) which runs between Toki Messe and Furusatomura. That allows you to take a cruise down the longest river in Japan, the Shinano River, while you’re at it.

6. Is this the inspiration for the Pokemon Snorunt?