Hashimoto Shokai chaqueta Sukajan reversible, bordado de tigre y dragón de bambú, satén negro y azul real, talla S

Two complete sukajan designs built as one jacket: on the black side a monumental tiger descends through bamboo toward the viewer, and on the royal-blue reverse a green dragon meets a seated tiger beneath the mountains. This Hashimoto Shokai piece carries the visual electricity of Japan's postwar souvenir-jacket tradition.

The Piece

This vintage Hashimoto Shokai sukajan is reversible in the fullest sense, with embroidery across both fronts and both backs in a palette of black, ivory, royal blue, emerald and golden orange. Every angle offers a different composition, from mirrored dragons and roaring tiger heads across the chest to two elaborate full-back scenes.

The primary black side is dominated by an unusually large crouching tiger, embroidered from an elevated, almost cinematic perspective, its head and shoulders descending through bamboo foliage and dark rockwork toward the viewer. Layered golden, orange and black fur, pale grey muzzle and whisker work, ivory cheek highlights, a red mouth with exposed fangs and dimensional facial shading give the animal powerful movement; green bamboo leaves with yellow accents and dark embroidered rocks and architectural details frame it. Rather than a profile, the design brings the eyes and face forward so the tiger seems to emerge directly from the garment. Mirrored emerald dragons sit across the chest, and the ribbing is striped white and crimson.

Turned inside out, the jacket changes mood completely. The royal-blue satin body carries two outward-facing roaring tiger heads on the chest, each with golden-yellow fur, black striping, white cheek and neck details, open red mouths and ivory fangs and whiskers. Across the back a green dragon moves through curling clouds above a seated golden tiger beside a rugged mountain landscape, with peaks, bamboo and stylized atmospheric forms completing the scene. This side has a brighter, more traditional souvenir-jacket character against the darker, theatrical tiger side.

The tiger embodies courage, physical strength, determination and command over the earthly realm, and bamboo, which bends without breaking, adds resilience, adaptability and endurance. The dragon is associated with wisdom, celestial authority, transformation and the elemental power of water and weather. Together they hold heaven and earth, intuition and action, fluidity and force in visual tension: two equally formidable energies rather than simply a battle.

Japanese souvenir jackets emerged after the Second World War, when service members stationed in Japan commissioned jackets decorated with local imagery, military insignia and regional names; tigers, dragons and eagles became defining motifs, and lustrous satin and reversible construction enduring signatures. This jacket preserves that language while combining two embroidery approaches, the broad, dramatic naturalism of the bamboo tiger and the traditional graphic vocabulary of the dragon-and-tiger reverse, a contrast of particular appeal to collectors of Japanese souvenir clothing.

Details

• Maker: Hashimoto Shokai
• Era: Showa-era styling, likely mid- to late 20th century
• Origin: Japan
• Material: Lightweight, lustrous satin textile; multicolor machine embroidery
• Color: Primary side: black body, ivory sleeves, red-striped ribbing. Reverse: royal-blue body, ivory sleeves, blue-striped ribbing
• Size: S (marked); approximately Western XS–S
• Measurements: Approximate, flat: chest width 51–52 cm / 20.1–20.5 in · back length 57–58 cm / 22.4–22.8 in · underarm to cuff 46–47 cm / 18.1–18.5 in
• Construction: Fully reversible, lightweight and unpadded; raglan sleeves with contrasting sleeve stripes; two pockets on each wearable side; reversible metal zipper; elasticated rib-knit collar, cuffs and hem
• Embroidery: Black side: bamboo tiger on the back, mirrored emerald dragons on the chest. Blue side: dragon and seated tiger with mountains on the back, two roaring tiger heads on the chest

Condition

• Good vintage condition with authentic age-related character.
• The satin shows natural creasing, light surface variation and gentle signs of previous wear; the ivory sleeves may show subtle age toning or minor handling marks consistent with a light-colored vintage textile.
• The embroidered compositions remain vivid and highly legible, with strong colors and substantial dimensional threadwork, and the rib-knit trim retains its striped pattern. The photographs form an important part of the condition description.

Fit and Styling

Japanese vintage sizing generally runs smaller and shorter than contemporary Western sizing; this marked S is best considered approximately Western XS–S, depending on proportions and preference. Compare the measurements with a raglan jacket that already fits comfortably.

Wear the black tiger side with dark denim, boots or monochrome tailoring for maximum drama, or reverse it to royal blue for a brighter heritage look with vintage jeans, military trousers or Japanese workwear. The tiger back also displays exceptionally well as textile art in a fashion archive, tattoo studio, boutique interior or wall-mounted sukajan display.

Authenticity & Care

Attributed to Hashimoto Shokai; compact sizing, reversible satin construction, abbreviated body, traditional iconography and contrasting striped ribbing are consistent with the later Showa-era souvenir-jacket market. 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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