Antique Japanese Fireman Signboard, Kanji Calligraphy, Wood Carved Symbol

This signboard made of wood has the name of the town carved in Kanji characters.
The pattern above is a symbol of firefighters called "纏matoi.
Since the Edo period (1603-1868), each town in Japan has had its own team of firefighters called Hi-keshi.
In the Edo period (1603-1868), all houses in Japan were built of wood, so a fire could cause a lot of damage. Many towns were burned down due to frequent house fires, and this became a problem. Therefore, the shogunate chose feudal lords from all over the country to lead the firefighting teams.
The 420 feudal lords were divided into teams of 30 to carry out firefighting activities.
The interesting point is that since the leaders were daimyo, they all started wearing more and more flashy and eccentric designs to make their costumes stand out from each other.
There is still a story about a daimyo who changed his costume three times even while fighting a fire.
There were many people who came to see it as if it were a show, so the atmosphere was like a kind of festival.

Chinese characters in "Matoi" is "三番組” meaning the third brigade.
Ones in big size is "通一" meaning a boulevard where the unit is in charge of.

□ Size:  H 23.7in × W 5.9in × D 0.4in （about H60.3cm×W15cm×D1.1cm  ）
□ Weight : 29.9oz (850g)
□ Material : wood

condition...
It is in good condition, but there are scratches and dirt due to aging.