A vintage IOLANI sukajan that trades the usual dragon and tiger for the rooster, an East Asian emblem of fortune, courage and vigilance. Emerald green satin carries the embroidery; turn it and a quilted navy reverse offers the quieter face of a bomber.
The Piece
This IOLANI sukajan souvenir jacket shows finely embroidered rooster and chicken artwork across a reversible satin bomber silhouette, with a vivid emerald green side and a contrasting deep navy reverse. The design theme draws on Japanese lucky symbolism and zodiac-inspired embroidery.
On the green side, twin roosters are embroidered on the chest and a large rooster and chicken composition fills the back, with the visual impact of a classic souvenir jacket. The navy side is a deep blue satin body with diamond quilt stitching, giving a more understated bomber appearance.
In Japanese and East Asian symbolism the rooster (鶏 / niwatori) represents good fortune and prosperity, confidence and determination, courage and strength, awareness and success. Sukajan jackets began in postwar Japan from the exchange between Japanese craftsmanship and American military presence, and became icons of underground fashion, rockabilly, tattoo-inspired art and modern streetwear.
IOLANI is known for Japanese-inspired fashion and aloha and souvenir designs, and this example, with its uncommon rooster theme, two-sided design and late twentieth-century souvenir-jacket styling, joins Americana tour-jacket culture with Japanese craft.
Details
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Maker: IOLANI
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Era: Vintage, Y2K era; late 20th-century souvenir-jacket styling
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Material: Satin-style polyester exterior; embroidered detailing; ribbed collar, cuffs and waistband
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Color: Emerald green / navy blue / cream
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Size: XL (tag)
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Measurements: Length 75 cm · Chest width 52 cm · Sleeve length 82 cm · Shoulder width 50 cm · Sleeve width 40 cm (approximate, taken flat)
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Construction: Reversible; green side embroidered, navy side diamond-quilted
Condition
- Vintage condition with signs of previous wear consistent with age.
- As with many vintage satin sukajan, natural fabric aging, slight color variation, small marks from previous use and wrinkles from storage may be present.
- The photographs form an important part of the condition record.
Sizing Notes
Vintage Japanese sizing may differ from modern Western sizing; compare the flat measurements with a similar garment already owned.
Authenticity & Care
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.
Yokosuka Archive
A particular size, motif or decade in mind? Postwar souvenir jackets and heritage amekaji surface in Japan one at a time. Name the maker, the embroidery and the chest measurement, and the Hunting Salon™ watches for it on your behalf. Request a jacket search →
Collectors also search: iolani sukajan · rooster sukajan jacket · rooster embroidered souvenir jacket · reversible sukajan green navy · vintage japanese souvenir jacket xl · chicken embroidery bomber jacket
