Sukajan reversible de Pherrow's, bordado de mikoshi del Matsuri de Tokio y grulla, de negro a crema y azul marino, talla S

A Tokyo neighborhood festival takes the place of the usual dragon or tiger on this vintage Pherrow's reversible. Bearers shoulder a mikoshi shrine beneath flowing Tokyo script, cranes spread their wings across the chest, ladder acrobats perform on the sleeves, and the reverse turns to a quiet cream-and-navy bomber.

The Piece

Pherrow's is a Japanese heritage-fashion label associated with Amekaji, military-inspired clothing, vintage Americana and carefully constructed reinterpretations of historic Japanese and American garments. This reversible sukajan celebrates the energy, pageantry and communal spirit of a traditional Tokyo matsuri. Its subject is not a mythical battle or a military tour map but coordinated carriers raising a portable shrine, uchiwa-style fans held above the crowd, ceremonial ornament, acrobatic ladder figures and cranes of longevity and good fortune. The silver-white embroidery on the black ground gives the principal face an almost archival monochrome quality, while gold and vermilion details illuminate the shrine without disturbing the disciplined palette.

The back depicts bearers carrying a mikoshi, the portable shrine used in Shinto festivals to carry an enshrined kami through the surrounding community. Standing shoulder to shoulder, arms raised, in coordinated garments and head coverings, they set a strong vertical rhythm of shared movement, discipline and neighborhood identity; two participants hold large festival fans with stylized characters, framing the shrine and evoking summer festivals, dance and celebration. The shrine is worked in layered silver, ivory, gray, muted gold and orange thread: tiered architectural forms, decorative roof fittings, curving ornamental supports, gold circular ornaments, a small vermilion shrine-gate detail, bird-like roof finials and a golden phoenix-like ornament at the summit. Large cursive “Tokyo” in silver-white script stretches across the upper back, softening the structured architecture below.

Each sleeve carries a mirrored figure posed beside or upon a ladder, apparently referencing hashigo-nori, the ladder acrobatics historically associated with Edo-period fire brigades and preserved in later public demonstrations and New Year ceremonies; their exaggerated expressions and lively poses bring humor and theatricality. Above them, smaller gold, cream and dark motifs resemble stylized festival crests, flames or bird forms, linking the sleeves to the ornament crowning the shrine. Across the chest, two white cranes face inward with extended wings, long curved necks and flowing plumage, accompanied by sweeping branch-like forms and small warm orange accents that may evoke pine. In Japanese decorative culture the crane stands for longevity, peace, fidelity, grace and good fortune, and pine for endurance and long life.

Turned inside out, the jacket becomes an exceptionally clean bomber: a warm cream body with deep navy raglan sleeves, navy pocket trim and coordinated striped ribbing, with no large pictorial embroidery, understated Japanese heritage sportswear. The embroidery style, compact sizing, reversible construction, heritage-brand identity and festival imagery are consistent with late-1990s to 2000s Japanese production, and the jacket has been cataloged as vintage from before 2007. It is a Japanese heritage-fashion interpretation of the sukajan tradition, not an original postwar military souvenir jacket, and an uncommon cultural subject among sukajan that more often carry tigers, dragons, eagles, koi or military maps.

Details

• Maker: Pherrow's / Pherrows
• Era: Late 1990s to 2000s Japanese production; cataloged as vintage from before 2007
• Origin: Japan
• Material: Black satin-finish embroidered face; matte woven cream-and-navy reverse; embroidery thread; rib-knit trim; metal zipper; sewing thread
• Color: Principal face: black to deep charcoal satin with silver, ivory, muted gold and orange embroidery; reverse: aged cream body with deep navy sleeves; ribbing: cream, navy, muted red and warm gold striping
• Size: S (Japanese tag); approximately Western XS to S depending on build and layering
• Measurements: Body length 54 cm / 21.3 in · Pit to pit 47 cm / 18.5 in · Doubled chest circumference approx. 94 cm / 37 in · Sleeve length from neckline 80 cm / 31.5 in · Underarm sleeve length 53 cm / 20.9 in · Relaxed waistband width 38 cm / 15 in (approximate, flat)
• Construction: Fully reversible two-face construction; raglan sleeves (no conventional shoulder seam); central reversible metal zipper; angled welt pockets on both faces; striped rib-knit collar, cuffs and waistband; extensive front, sleeve and back embroidery; lightweight souvenir-bomber structure; compact Japanese vintage proportions
• Back: Mikoshi procession with bearers and festival fans beneath cursive “Tokyo” script
• Front: Mirrored white cranes with branch and pine-like foliage, warm orange accents
• Sleeves: Hashigo-nori-inspired ladder performers beneath small crest, flame or bird-like emblems

Condition

• Vintage pre-owned condition with age-appropriate character; not presented as factory-new.
• The black satin face shows natural wrinkling, storage folds, pressure lines and directional sheen; depending on the light it may read as black, charcoal or deep navy.
• The principal embroidery remains clearly defined and cohesive: the Tokyo lettering, mikoshi, bearers, fans, cranes, sleeve figures and gold shrine details are all readily visible.
• Possible vintage characteristics include minor thread fuzzing, isolated raised fibers or loose thread ends, gentle flattening within embroidered areas, natural puckering around dense stitching, softened rib-knit trim, light surface variation, storage creasing and age-related toning on the cream reverse.
• The cream body shows visible vintage softening and subtle tonal variation; the navy sleeves keep a strong contrasting color with normal folds from wear and storage.
• The zipper, pockets, principal seams, ribbing and reversible construction appear present and structurally cohesive in the photographed areas.
• The photographs form an essential part of the condition description.

Fit Notes

The compact silhouette follows traditional sukajan construction: a relatively short bomber body, raglan sleeves and a gathered rib-knit waistband. Read the long 80 cm neckline-to-cuff measurement together with the short 54 cm body length; the combination creates the compact, rounded silhouette of the Japanese souvenir jacket. Compare with a similar jacket that already fits comfortably.

Preservation Guidance

Professional cleaning by a specialist experienced with vintage embroidered and reversible satin garments is recommended. Do not machine wash, bleach, soak, scrub, wring or tumble dry, and avoid ironing directly over the embroidery, satin or rib-knit trim, since concentrated heat and moisture may distort the textile or flatten the threadwork. Keep it away from rough bags, jewelry, hook-and-loop fasteners and abrasive surfaces; when reversing, support the sleeves and body evenly rather than pulling through the cuffs. Store on a broad padded hanger in a breathable cover, away from direct sunlight, humidity, smoke, perfume and prolonged compression.

Authenticity & Care

Identified as Pherrow's, with a Japanese tag size S; the design, its hashigo-nori sleeve identification and its measurements correspond with the same jacket design as previously cataloged. 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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