Sukajan reversible Cropped Heads, bordado de kappa y pez dorado kingyo, satén negro y verde, talla S

A Cropped Heads reversible sukajan built around one of Japan’s most distinctive folkloric creatures: a kappa, long pale hair and water dish on its head, clutching a vivid red kingyo across the black satin back. Reversed, it becomes a calm light green satin bomber with ivory sleeve stripes.

The Piece

This playful Cropped Heads reversible sukajan balances humor, folklore and old-school souvenir-jacket attitude. Not all souvenir jackets rely on dragons, eagles or tigers; this one stands out for its personality. The black side presents a large embroidered kappa with long pale hair, a blue water dish on its head and a bright red goldfish in its grasp, while paired kingyo float among stylized water currents on the chest, creating a coherent aquatic theme from front to back. The black satin ground gives the scene an atmospheric, almost nighttime feeling.

The reverse offers a calmer face: glossy light green satin with ivory sleeve stripes and no large back embroidery, for a cleaner, more understated rockabilly or casual vintage look. Red and cream striped rib-knit at the collar, cuffs and hem adds vintage contrast, raglan sleeves give the classic rounded sukajan silhouette, and arrow-style welt pockets sit at the front. The embroidery, especially the large kappa and the chest goldfish, is the visual anchor of the piece and gives it real display presence.

The kappa is a famous creature of Japanese folklore associated with rivers, ponds, trickery and supernatural mischief; in traditional stories it can be playful, dangerous, cunning or comedic depending on the region and tale. Here it is paired with the kingyo, the beloved Japanese goldfish long associated with summer festivals, playfulness and movement, decorative beauty, water symbolism and Edo-period popular culture.

The jacket appears to be a modern vintage or older contemporary Japanese sukajan, likely produced in the late 1990s to 2000s, consistent with the revival period when brands such as Cropped Heads helped popularize playful and subcultural souvenir-jacket themes. Rather than reproducing only military-tour imagery, it embraces folklore and graphic personality, which draws collectors of yokai imagery, Japanese folklore fashion, fish motifs and rare character-based souvenir jackets.

Details

• Maker: Cropped Heads
• Era: Likely late 1990s to 2000s
• Origin: Japan
• Material: Glossy satin-like shell on both sides (polyester satin per material tags); embroidery thread; rib-knit trim; metal zipper
• Color: Black side with multicolor embroidery · light green reverse with ivory accents; red and cream striped ribbing
• Size: S (tagged); best suited to a modern XS–S
• Measurements: Back length approx. 54 cm · Pit to pit / chest width approx. 47–48 cm · Sleeve length (raglan, center-neck to cuff) approx. 78–80 cm · Underarm sleeve length approx. 49–50 cm
• Motifs: Kappa with red kingyo on the back; paired kingyo among water currents on the chest
• Construction: Reversible; front zipper; raglan sleeves; arrow-style welt pockets; striped rib-knit collar, cuffs and hem

Condition

• Vintage pre-owned condition with visible age and wear consistent with use; the embroidery remains visually strong and highly presentable, with excellent display impact.
• The satin shows expected creasing, surface wear and light texture variation from age and handling, and the black side displays general vintage wear throughout.
• The ribbed collar, cuffs and waistband show age-appropriate use.
• Minor wear, light marks and small irregularities may be present on both sides, as is typical of older reversible satin jackets; please review all photographs carefully.

Sizing Guidance

As a vintage Japanese garment, the jacket may fit slimmer than modern Western sizing and is best suited to a modern XS–S depending on the desired fit. Please compare the measurements with a jacket you already own.

Authenticity & Care

Attributed to Cropped Heads and consistent with the brand’s whimsical, folklore-driven approach to sukajan design; tagged size S. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.

Delivery from Japan

Packed by hand in Japan and shipped insured and tracked by EMS or an equivalent express service. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our published policy.

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