Sukajan reversible Ryū, dragón de nubes marrón ahumado y reverso de líneas negro y rojo, bordado de llamas, talla M

Two interpretations of the Japanese dragon in one jacket: on one face a sculptural ryū coiling through smoky brown clouds, on the other a vast line-art dragon traced in cream-gold over black and blood-red satin. Neither side is secondary.

The Piece

Side A is the dimensional, painterly face. A smoky brown and charcoal satin body, framed by black sleeves with brown vertical striping, carries an enormous dragon that fills nearly the whole back, its serpentine body coiling through banks of traditional clouds while the head thrusts forward and stares almost directly outward. Overlapping gray scales, modeled horns, flowing whiskers, pronounced brows, an open mouth with red tongue and sharp fangs, articulated claws and a sweeping tail are built in rows of gray and silver-toned stitching with darker outlines, while cream and taupe outlining gives the clouds the look of classical scroll painting. Crimson is reserved for flame-like accents that seem to burn through the muted palette. On the front, matching emblems of stylized paws or claws within red flame-like halos echo the dragon without crowding the chest: minimal from the front, monumental from behind.

Side B is graphic and calligraphic. A deep black body with bold red satin sleeve panels and black inset stripes carries another enormous dragon worked predominantly in cream and antique-gold contour stitching, evoking tattoo flash, sumi-e drawing, woodblock preparatory line art and ukiyo-e contour work. It coils from the upper left through the center with the head extending downward; hundreds of embroidered lines trace scales, whiskers, claws, horns, facial contours, clouds, body segments and tail, and a vertical burst of crimson flame rises through the design. Unusually, the dragon continues across the front in an asymmetrical full-front composition rather than two small chest motifs.

Japanese ryū are associated with water, rainfall, clouds, rivers and oceans, protection, wisdom, spiritual power, transformation and authority, and their elongated bodies suit tattooing, folding screens, scrolls and the broad back of a sukajan. The black-and-red side in particular resembles a full-back irezumi drawing laid over satin, sharing its principles of a central mythological subject, flowing movement, cloud framing and limited accent color. The jacket appears consistent with a modern Japanese revival sukajan of the late 20th or early 21st century rather than an original postwar example.

Details

• Era: Likely late 20th or early 21st century revival
• Material: Satin-like body (polyester / acetate-style satin); embroidery thread; rib knit; metal zipper
• Color: Side A smoky brown, charcoal, black, gray, cream and red; Side B black, deep red and antique cream / gold
• Size: M (tag)
• Construction: Fully reversible zip-front bomber with a reversible central zipper; rib-knit collar, cuffs and waistband; contrast raglan sleeves; side pockets; both sides finished for outward wear
• Motifs: Ryū dragon, flames, clouds, swirling vapor, claw emblems, ornamental linework

Condition

• Good overall pre-owned condition, judged from the photographs.
• Strong, extensive embroidery with clear dragon detailing, attractive satin sheen, intact reversible construction, good ribbing and strong red coloration; no immediately obvious major structural failure in the images.
• Age-related characteristics may include light wrinkles, minor surface rubbing, faint discoloration, small thread irregularities, storage creasing, light rib wear and occasional loose embroidery threads.
• The photographs form an important part of the condition record.

Fit Notes

Japanese tagged sizing can differ noticeably from modern Western sizing. Depending on measurements and preferred silhouette, a Japanese M may often suit a Western XS–S to M range, but no direct conversion should be assumed; flat measurements (length, pit-to-pit chest, sleeve, lower sleeve and hem width) are the best guide.

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.

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