Souvenir Jacket / Sukajan Technical Definition and Roots
それではスカジャンとは？
ヨコスカジャンパーの略語で和製英語になります。英語ではスーベニアジャケットと呼ばれています。第二次世界大戦が終結して間もなく朝鮮戦争が始まりました。米軍基地が設けられた横須賀には米国からその戦闘員として多くの若者が赴任しました。一定期間を横須賀基地で過ごしてから朝鮮半島に出兵、そして帰還をしました。 横須賀基地 滞在中に日本の記念となるようにと、ある兵士が支給されたナイロン軍服に刺繍を入れました。これが人気となり彼らの間に広まりました。多くの刺繍柄が日本と東洋をイメージしているのはその理由です。またスーベニア(お土産）と呼ばれる所以です。
ナイロン軍服は飛行機中に墜落や海に落とされた時に、彼らを一刻も早く救出発見される為に裏地をオレンジ色等になっています。それは非常時に裏返しをして着る為にです。今でもリバーシブルが多いのはこの理由です。MA-1と同じですね。
各ジャケットのこんな歴史や機能を知るとまた愛着が湧きますね
So, what is a "Sukajan"? It's a Japanese-coined English abbreviation for "Yokosuka Jumper." In English, it's referred to as a "souvenir jacket." Shortly after the end of World War II, the Korean War began. Many young individuals from the United States were stationed in Yokosuka, where U.S. military bases were established. These servicemen spent a certain period of time at Yokosuka Base before being deployed to the Korean Peninsula and eventually returning home.
During their stay at Yokosuka Base, one soldier decided to embroider the nylon military uniform he was issued as a way to create a commemorative item of Japan. This practice gained popularity among them, and various embroidered designs emerged, often inspired by Japan and East Asia. This is why many Sukajan jackets feature such motifs and are referred to as "souvenirs."
Nylon military uniforms were designed with bright orange or similar linings to make it easier to locate and rescue individuals in case of emergencies, such as crashes or water landings during flights. This feature allowed them to be worn inside out during emergencies. This is also why many Sukajan jackets are reversible. It's a design feature similar to the MA-1 jacket.
Learning about the history and functionality of these jackets can certainly deepen one's attachment to them.
スーベニアジャケット（スカジャン）とは戦後間もない頃、米兵が日本駐留の記念としてオリエンタルな柄（鷲・虎・龍）や所属していた部隊、基地名などを自分たちのジャケットに刺繍したのが始まりである。それらは土産物として商品化され、各地のPX（Post Exchangeの略で米軍基地内の売店の通称）で販売されるようになった。当時、このスーベニアジャケットをはじめとした衣料品を米軍基地へ納入していたのが、テーラー東洋（東洋エンタープライズ）の前身の会社「港商商会」であり、スーベニアジャケットの生産が全盛期となった1950年代には納入シェアの95パーセントを占めるほどであった。港商から始まり半世紀以上スーベニアジャケットを作り続けてきたTAILOR TOYO（テーラー東洋）。一過性のブームではなく、スカジャンを文化として継承し続けているこのブランドこそが、スカジャンのオリジナルである。
The souvenir jacket, or suka-jan as it is commonly known, originated in the early postwar days when the U.S. servicemen stationing in the Pacific had their own jackets embroidered with their unit names, base names, or even the oriental motifs at the local merchants in order to make their unique mementos. Later on those jackets were commercialized and sold at stores in the military installations (Post Exchanges) throughout the world. Our predecessor Kosho & Co. was then their principal supplier, and it increased its market share of the particular jacket up to 95% by the 1950s. With profound confidence in such a historical background, TAILOR TOYO has been the leading brand of suka-jan for over half a decade, and we will keep passing down our experience and knowledge for generations to be remaining a genuine and authentic brand.
スカジャン【souvenir jacket】
スカジャンとは、日本や東洋テイストの刺繍が入った光沢があるナイロン系の素材のジャンパー。
横須賀ジャンパーの略で和製英語。
横須賀に赴任した米兵が支給されたナイロンジャケットに刺繍をいれて持ち帰ったものが人気を得、その後日本（や東洋）テイストの刺繍をいれたジャケットが土産として定着したとされる。
英語ではスーベニア・ジャケット（souvenir jacket）と呼ばれる。
スタジャンと名称と外見は似ているが、スタジャンはスタジアム・ジャンパーの略で、野球選手用の防寒着であり、見頃はメルトン、袖はレザー製が一般的だが、スカジャンはナイロン系が多い。
A "Sukajan," or souvenir jacket, is a type of jacket made from glossy nylon-like material, often featuring Japanese or East Asian-style embroidery. The term "Sukajan" is a shortened form of "Yokosuka Jumper," which is a Japanese-coined English phrase.
The origins of the Sukajan jacket can be traced back to American soldiers stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, who were issued nylon jackets. These soldiers would embellish their jackets with embroidery and take them home as souvenirs. Over time, jackets with Japanese or East Asian-themed embroidery became a popular souvenir item.
In English, these jackets are referred to as "souvenir jackets." While the term "Sukajan" and their appearance may resemble "Stajan" jackets, the two are distinct. "Stajan" stands for "Stadium Jumper" and refers to stadium jackets, often used as cold-weather attire for baseball players. Stadium jackets typically have a melton body and leather sleeves, whereas Sukajan jackets are more commonly made from nylon-like materials.
スカジャンとは、戦後間もない頃日本の駐留軍の米兵個人が記念としてオリエンタルな柄や自分の所属していた部隊や基地などをテーラーショップにオーダーしたのが始まりとされています。
その後お土産（スーベニア）として商品化され各地に基地の売店（ＰＸ）で売られる様になる。当時は「スカジャン」ではなく品名を「スーベニアジャケット」、呼び名は「鷲虎龍」と単純に言われていました。
そのスカジャンを当時ベースに納入していたのが、この「テーラー東洋」ブランドを作っている東洋エンタープライズ社の前身の会社でした。
スカジャン全盛期の１９５０年代には９５％のシェアーを誇っていた老舗中の老舗で、あの有名なアラスカ柄を手掛けたのも同社です。
「東洋エンタープライズ」はスカジャンの命である刺繍にこだわり、１９５０年代初期に同社が製作したジャケットを、素材、縫製、ファスナー、など当時そのままに再現しこれまでに数多くの柄を復刻し世に送りだしています。
The souvenir jacket, known as "Sukajan" in Japan, has its origins in the period shortly after World War II when American soldiers stationed in Japan ordered tailor-made jackets from local shops as mementos. These jackets often featured Oriental designs, as well as insignias or emblems representing their military units or bases.
These jackets were eventually commercialized and sold as souvenirs in military base stores (PX) across various locations. During that time, they were not yet commonly referred to as "Sukajan." Instead, the product was known as the "souvenir jacket," and it was simply called "Washu-Tora-Ryu," reflecting some of the common motifs found on these jackets.
The company responsible for supplying Sukajan jackets based on the original designs from that era was the predecessor of the "Tailor Toyo" brand, created by the East Asia Enterprise Co., Ltd. During the peak of the Sukajan's popularity in the 1950s, this company held an impressive 95% share of the market. They were also responsible for creating the famous Alaskan designs seen on these jackets.
"East Asia Enterprise" prioritized the intricate embroidery that defines Sukajan jackets, and in the early 1950s, the company reproduced jackets that faithfully captured the materials, stitching, zippers, and other details of that era. They have since recreated numerous patterns and designs, contributing to the continued popularity of Sukajan jackets.
ヨコスカジャンパーの略語で和製英語になります。英語ではスーベニアジャケットと呼ばれています。第二次世界大戦が終結して間もなく朝鮮戦争が始まりました。米軍基地が設けられた横須賀には米国からその戦闘員として多くの若者が赴任しました。一定期間を横須賀基地で過ごしてから朝鮮半島に出兵、そして帰還をしました。 横須賀基地 滞在中に日本の記念となるようにと、ある兵士が支給されたナイロン軍服に刺繍を入れました。これが人気となり彼らの間に広まりました。多くの刺繍柄が日本と東洋をイメージしているのはその理由です。またスーベニア(お土産）と呼ばれる所以です。
ナイロン軍服は飛行機中に墜落や海に落とされた時に、彼らを一刻も早く救出発見される為に裏地をオレンジ色等になっています。それは非常時に裏返しをして着る為にです。今でもリバーシブルが多いのはこの理由です。MA-1と同じですね。
各ジャケットのこんな歴史や機能を知るとまた愛着が湧きますね
So, what is a "Sukajan"? It's a Japanese-coined English abbreviation for "Yokosuka Jumper." In English, it's referred to as a "souvenir jacket." Shortly after the end of World War II, the Korean War began. Many young individuals from the United States were stationed in Yokosuka, where U.S. military bases were established. These servicemen spent a certain period of time at Yokosuka Base before being deployed to the Korean Peninsula and eventually returning home.
During their stay at Yokosuka Base, one soldier decided to embroider the nylon military uniform he was issued as a way to create a commemorative item of Japan. This practice gained popularity among them, and various embroidered designs emerged, often inspired by Japan and East Asia. This is why many Sukajan jackets feature such motifs and are referred to as "souvenirs."
Nylon military uniforms were designed with bright orange or similar linings to make it easier to locate and rescue individuals in case of emergencies, such as crashes or water landings during flights. This feature allowed them to be worn inside out during emergencies. This is also why many Sukajan jackets are reversible. It's a design feature similar to the MA-1 jacket.
Learning about the history and functionality of these jackets can certainly deepen one's attachment to them.
スーベニアジャケット（スカジャン）とは戦後間もない頃、米兵が日本駐留の記念としてオリエンタルな柄（鷲・虎・龍）や所属していた部隊、基地名などを自分たちのジャケットに刺繍したのが始まりである。それらは土産物として商品化され、各地のPX（Post Exchangeの略で米軍基地内の売店の通称）で販売されるようになった。当時、このスーベニアジャケットをはじめとした衣料品を米軍基地へ納入していたのが、テーラー東洋（東洋エンタープライズ）の前身の会社「港商商会」であり、スーベニアジャケットの生産が全盛期となった1950年代には納入シェアの95パーセントを占めるほどであった。港商から始まり半世紀以上スーベニアジャケットを作り続けてきたTAILOR TOYO（テーラー東洋）。一過性のブームではなく、スカジャンを文化として継承し続けているこのブランドこそが、スカジャンのオリジナルである。
The souvenir jacket, or suka-jan as it is commonly known, originated in the early postwar days when the U.S. servicemen stationing in the Pacific had their own jackets embroidered with their unit names, base names, or even the oriental motifs at the local merchants in order to make their unique mementos. Later on those jackets were commercialized and sold at stores in the military installations (Post Exchanges) throughout the world. Our predecessor Kosho & Co. was then their principal supplier, and it increased its market share of the particular jacket up to 95% by the 1950s. With profound confidence in such a historical background, TAILOR TOYO has been the leading brand of suka-jan for over half a decade, and we will keep passing down our experience and knowledge for generations to be remaining a genuine and authentic brand.
スカジャン【souvenir jacket】
スカジャンとは、日本や東洋テイストの刺繍が入った光沢があるナイロン系の素材のジャンパー。
横須賀ジャンパーの略で和製英語。
横須賀に赴任した米兵が支給されたナイロンジャケットに刺繍をいれて持ち帰ったものが人気を得、その後日本（や東洋）テイストの刺繍をいれたジャケットが土産として定着したとされる。
英語ではスーベニア・ジャケット（souvenir jacket）と呼ばれる。
スタジャンと名称と外見は似ているが、スタジャンはスタジアム・ジャンパーの略で、野球選手用の防寒着であり、見頃はメルトン、袖はレザー製が一般的だが、スカジャンはナイロン系が多い。
A "Sukajan," or souvenir jacket, is a type of jacket made from glossy nylon-like material, often featuring Japanese or East Asian-style embroidery. The term "Sukajan" is a shortened form of "Yokosuka Jumper," which is a Japanese-coined English phrase.
The origins of the Sukajan jacket can be traced back to American soldiers stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, who were issued nylon jackets. These soldiers would embellish their jackets with embroidery and take them home as souvenirs. Over time, jackets with Japanese or East Asian-themed embroidery became a popular souvenir item.
In English, these jackets are referred to as "souvenir jackets." While the term "Sukajan" and their appearance may resemble "Stajan" jackets, the two are distinct. "Stajan" stands for "Stadium Jumper" and refers to stadium jackets, often used as cold-weather attire for baseball players. Stadium jackets typically have a melton body and leather sleeves, whereas Sukajan jackets are more commonly made from nylon-like materials.
スカジャンとは、戦後間もない頃日本の駐留軍の米兵個人が記念としてオリエンタルな柄や自分の所属していた部隊や基地などをテーラーショップにオーダーしたのが始まりとされています。
その後お土産（スーベニア）として商品化され各地に基地の売店（ＰＸ）で売られる様になる。当時は「スカジャン」ではなく品名を「スーベニアジャケット」、呼び名は「鷲虎龍」と単純に言われていました。
そのスカジャンを当時ベースに納入していたのが、この「テーラー東洋」ブランドを作っている東洋エンタープライズ社の前身の会社でした。
スカジャン全盛期の１９５０年代には９５％のシェアーを誇っていた老舗中の老舗で、あの有名なアラスカ柄を手掛けたのも同社です。
「東洋エンタープライズ」はスカジャンの命である刺繍にこだわり、１９５０年代初期に同社が製作したジャケットを、素材、縫製、ファスナー、など当時そのままに再現しこれまでに数多くの柄を復刻し世に送りだしています。
The souvenir jacket, known as "Sukajan" in Japan, has its origins in the period shortly after World War II when American soldiers stationed in Japan ordered tailor-made jackets from local shops as mementos. These jackets often featured Oriental designs, as well as insignias or emblems representing their military units or bases.
These jackets were eventually commercialized and sold as souvenirs in military base stores (PX) across various locations. During that time, they were not yet commonly referred to as "Sukajan." Instead, the product was known as the "souvenir jacket," and it was simply called "Washu-Tora-Ryu," reflecting some of the common motifs found on these jackets.
The company responsible for supplying Sukajan jackets based on the original designs from that era was the predecessor of the "Tailor Toyo" brand, created by the East Asia Enterprise Co., Ltd. During the peak of the Sukajan's popularity in the 1950s, this company held an impressive 95% share of the market. They were also responsible for creating the famous Alaskan designs seen on these jackets.
"East Asia Enterprise" prioritized the intricate embroidery that defines Sukajan jackets, and in the early 1950s, the company reproduced jackets that faithfully captured the materials, stitching, zippers, and other details of that era. They have since recreated numerous patterns and designs, contributing to the continued popularity of Sukajan jackets.