{"product_id":"1950s-big-size-reversible-sukajan-eagle-over-royal-blue-dragons-and-japan-korea-map-on-bur-47845","title":"1950s Big-Size Reversible Sukajan, Eagle over Royal Blue, Dragons and Japan–Korea Map on Burgundy, TTS Butterfly Zip","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"jp-product\" data-world=\"Japan Luxury Archive\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-lede\"\u003eA rare big-size 1950s reversible souvenir jacket with a TTS butterfly zip: an eagle on pine under Japan on royal blue satin, and golden dragons with a map of Japan and Korea on quilted burgundy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrom Occupation Bases to Collector Cabinets\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe souvenir jacket was born in the years after 1945, when American servicemen stationed in Japan began commissioning embroidered satin jackets from local tailors near the bases, Yokosuka above all, which gave the garment its Japanese nickname, sukajan, from Yokosuka and jumper. The motifs were chosen for an American eye: tigers, eagles, dragons, Mount Fuji and the word Japan in looping script, stitched by craftsmen who had worked on kimono and obi embroidery before the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Korean War of 1950 to 1953 turned the souvenir jacket into a record of service. Men on rest and recuperation leave in Japan ordered jackets with maps of Japan and Korea, city names and unit details, and the jackets went home as keepsakes. Original 1950s examples survive in far smaller numbers than the reproductions that followed, and collectors read them by their details: reversible construction, hand-guided embroidery, rayon or acetate satin and velveteen, and the zip makers of the period, TTS among the most sought after.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBig Sizes and Butterfly Zips\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause souvenir jackets were made to order for young servicemen, most survivors are small by modern standards, and big sizes command a clear premium. The TTS butterfly zip, named for the shape of its pull, is one of the details collectors look for first, and together with Korean place names on the map it dates this jacket securely to the 1950s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Piece\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarge original souvenir jackets are scarce, because most were cut for the slim servicemen of the 1950s. This one measures 66 cm across the chest, and it is also among the most handsome in colour: royal blue satin with silver sleeves edged in blue, against burgundy with silver on the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blue side carries Japan in gold script over an eagle with spread wings on a pine branch, with a pair of eagles on the chest. Reversed, the burgundy quilted face has two golden dragons rising from clouds on the chest and, on the back, Mount Fuji over a map of Japan and Korea outlined in gold, naming Pyongyang, Seoul, Taiden (Daejeon) and Pusan in Korea and Hakata, Nagasaki, Beppu, Kure, Hiroshima, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, Yokosuka and Aomori in Japan, with flying cranes over a winding river.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe zip is by TTS, with the butterfly pull that collectors single out as an early and desirable detail. The rib knits are striped in blue and cream on one side and burgundy and cream on the other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasured flat: chest 66 cm, length 66 cm, sleeve from centre back 90 cm, a comfortable modern large to extra large.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDetails\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"jp-details\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesigner:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unlabelled Japanese workshop\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeason:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1950s\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel \/ ref:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reversible satin souvenir jacket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rayon or acetate satin; padded lining; knit rib\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Royal blue and silver \/ burgundy and silver\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTagged size:\u003c\/strong\u003e No size label (big size)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chest (pit to pit) 66 cm · Sleeve from centre back 90 cm · Length 66 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e Jacket only\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarks on the collar rib and sleeves, including a small spot on the silver sleeve.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeneral signs of wear consistent with age.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEmbroidery bright and complete on both faces.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTTS butterfly zip working.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition grade \u003cstrong\u003eB\u003c\/strong\u003e on the Japanese scale; see \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/news\/japanese-condition-ranks-explained\"\u003eJapanese condition ranks, explained\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAuthenticity \u0026amp; Care\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe labels, materials, stitching, hardware and construction are examined together and documented in Japan before dispatch; anything that cannot be confirmed is stated plainly in the description. Every piece carries the Japonista authenticity guarantee. Entrust cleaning to a specialist for vintage satin, or simply air it; store on a padded hanger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDelivery from Japan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePacked 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. Every sale is final; please ask anything before you buy, and see our \u003ca href=\"\/policies\/refund-policy\"\u003epublished policy\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-closing\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsidered offers are welcome through Send an Offer, and each one is reviewed personally. Pieces over $1,000 may be reserved over several payments with \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/japonista-layaway-privilege-program\"\u003eLayaway Privilege™\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContinue browsing: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/collections-luxury-archive-designer-treasures\"\u003eJapan Luxury Archive\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jp-cta\" data-world=\"Japan Luxury Archive\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-cta-eyebrow\"\u003eLarge Sizes by Request\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLooking for a large original 1950s souvenir jacket? Our Hunting Salon can search Japan for you. Our Hunting Salon™ locates a specific reference across Japan’s private collector circles, then inspects, documents and delivers it to you. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hunting-salon%E2%84%A2\"\u003eBegin a Hunting Salon™ request →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"jp-search\"\u003eCollectors also search: TTS butterfly zip sukajan · big size vintage sukajan · 1950s Korea map souvenir jacket · vintage eagle dragon sukajan reversible · XL 1950s souvenir jacket · Japan Korea map jacket burgundy · original 50s sukajan large · vintage royal blue sukajan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Vintage Japan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54060458344741,"sku":"JP-DP-h1232747845","price":2250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0758\/8829\/6229\/files\/japonista-1950s-big-size-reversible-sukajan-eagle-over-royal-47845-02.jpg?v=1791970491","url":"https:\/\/japonista.com\/products\/1950s-big-size-reversible-sukajan-eagle-over-royal-blue-dragons-and-japan-korea-map-on-bur-47845","provider":"Japonista","version":"1.0","type":"link"}