happi coat; traditional Japanese straight-sleeved coat
A short, straight-sleeved coat often worn at festivals, by shop staff, or as workwear. Typically features a crest or design on the back.
I wore a happi coat and carried the portable shrine at the festival.
その店の店員はみんなお揃いの法被を着ている。
All the shop staff wear matching happi coats.
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
Kana spelling, often used in casual or explanatory contexts.
Alternate kanji spelling, less common than 法被.
Developed by sound change from either はふひ, an older reading of 法被, or はんぴ, the garment name 半臂. The exact path is disputed.