Casper the Friendly Ghost Reversible Sukajan, Witch, Japan Map & Sakura Embroidery, Gold Brocade Reverse

A character sukajan of real eccentric charm: Casper the Friendly Ghost and a young witch on a broomstick fly across an embroidered map of Japan, its cities named in red thread among pink sakura. Reversed, the cartoon disappears into a champagne-gold Japanese scenic brocade.

The Piece

One side is executed in black satin with smoky purple-plum sleeves and black decorative shoulder stripes. Casper, bright white against the black ground, flies alongside a blonde witch dressed in red on a broomstick, its warm brown and orange tones bridging the bright character embroidery and the gold-brown reverse. Behind and beside them lies a large embroidered outline map of Japan, so the pair appear to fly across the country rather than float above a decorative map, giving the design a storybook quality. “Japan” is embroidered above the characters in flowing orange-red script, and large pink sakura in multiple tones with pale centers and green leaves decorate the lower part of the map side.

The map is unusually detailed, naming Sapporo, Aomori, Sendai, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Yokohama, Yokosuka, Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, Kure, Shimonoseki, Hakata and Sasebo in red embroidery; several, including Yokosuka, Sasebo, Kure and Yokohama, carry strong associations with Japanese port and military culture. Japan-map jackets are deeply tied to the souvenir-jacket tradition, communicating a garment made in remembrance of time spent in Japan; here the usual military or animal narrative becomes a whimsical character journey. On the front, one chest shows Casper and the witch together while the other carries a cluster of pink sakura, an asymmetrical arrangement in which each side contributes a different part of the story.

Turned inside out, the jacket becomes an elegant champagne-gold brocade bomber with richer bronze and caramel-brown sleeves. In place of embroidery, woven Japanese-style scenic motifs, trees, blossoms, traditional architecture with pagoda-like rooflines, landscape scenes and garden elements, are rendered tonally in pale silver-white against the metallic textile. The weave recalls fabrics used for obi, kimono accessories, formal bags and decorative interiors; at some angles the imagery is subtle, and under stronger light the trees, architecture and landscape come forward.

The two faces offer two aesthetics: playful, graphic black and purple with Casper, witch, map, cities and sakura; and understated gold and bronze brocade with a traditional textile atmosphere. The piece belongs to a later, more playful character-fashion tradition, yet its map, place names and reversibility keep the historical lineage of the sukajan clearly visible, placing it between Japanese textile collecting, animation memorabilia and vintage streetwear.

Details

• Era: Later vintage or retro Japanese character sukajan, not an original occupation-era souvenir jacket; undated
• Material: Satin-style shell; brocade reverse; embroidery thread; polyester; rib knit; metal zipper
• Color: Character face: black satin body, smoky purple or muted plum sleeves, black shoulder stripes, black ribbing with purple accents; embroidery in white, red, pink, yellow, green, orange and cream. Reverse: champagne-gold brocade body, bronze or caramel-brown sleeves
• Construction: Reversible zip-front bomber with raglan-inspired construction; reversible zipper; angled hand pockets; striped rib-knit collar; rib-knit cuffs and waistband; contrasting sleeve panels
• Motifs: Casper the Friendly Ghost, witch on broomstick, Japan map with city names, sakura, “Japan” script; woven scenic brocade on the reverse

Condition

• Presents attractively overall in the photographs: strong character embroidery, a vivid Casper figure, clear witch motif, intact Japan map with readable city names, attractive sakura, good brocade effect, intact ribbing and a functioning-looking reversible zipper, with strong presentation on both sides.
• As a pre-owned older garment it may show satin creasing, minor surface marks, light rubbing, thread wear, subtle discoloration, small snags, rib wear, storage traces and embroidery irregularities.
• Please review all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition record.

Fit Notes

Japanese vintage sizing frequently differs from Western sizing, and sukajan shoulder construction makes conventional assumptions unreliable. Request flat measurements (length, pit to pit, sleeve, shoulder, hem) and compare them with a jacket that fits comfortably.

Styling & Display

The character side works with black denim, faded charcoal jeans, wide-leg trousers, purple accents, engineer boots, canvas sneakers and monochrome streetwear; the brocade side suits cream trousers, dark brown denim, black slacks, loafers, minimal sneakers and understated Japanese casualwear.

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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