This rare Chikiriya reversible velvet sukajan represents the pinnacle of Kyoto textile craftsmanship—an heirloom-grade piece blending ukiyo-e art, wagara tradition, and the bold silhouette of the classic Japanese souvenir jacket. Crafted in deep velvet and satin, each side showcases a completely different artistic universe, making it a true collector’s treasure.

One side features an exquisite ukiyo-e whale emerging from stylized waves, rendered in soft beige tones reminiscent of Edo-period sumi-ink paintings. The surrounding swirls, florals, and atmospheric details give the jacket the surreal, floating quality of emakimono scroll illustrations. This composition captures the Japanese artistic philosophy of ukiyo—the “floating world,” where nature becomes mythic and symbolic.

Flip the jacket, and an entirely different narrative unfolds: a vibrant frog poised among lotus blossoms, surrounded by richly embroidered peonies, water lilies, insects, and soft ripples. This design references both haiku imagery and classical Buddhist lotus symbolism, celebrating life, humor, and rebirth. The deep burgundy velvet base intensifies the colors, emphasizing the jacket’s luxurious, tactile presence.

Chikiriya’s master embroiderers use layered satin stitching to recreate the texture of antique paintings. Each motif—whether wave curl, lotus petal, or amphibian movement—echoes centuries-old Japanese artistic grammar. The contrast between the somber ukiyo-e palette and the vibrant lotus garden shows the brand’s signature duality: artistic drama × poetic calm.

This piece is perfect for collectors seeking museum-level Japanese artistry, fashion stylists who appreciate culturally rich statement garments, or sukajan enthusiasts searching for designs beyond typical dragons and tigers. With its reversible versatility, it feels like owning two works of art within one jacket.

BRAND BACKGROUND — CHIKIRIYA (WAGARA BRAND)

Founded in Kyoto, Chikiriya is one of Japan’s most respected “Wagara” artisan houses, specializing in textile craftsmanship inspired by classical Japanese aesthetics. The brand is known for blending Edo-period ukiyo-e art, traditional dyeing culture, and contemporary street silhouettes, creating garments that feel like wearable museum pieces. Chikiriya has long collaborated with independent artists, kimono craftsmen, and textile workshops to preserve regional techniques—particularly Kyoto’s renowned sensibilities in color harmony and symbolic pattern design.

Chikiriya’s sukajan are especially coveted because they incorporate historical motifs rarely seen outside Japan’s textile archives: creatures from folklore, classical wave scrolls, Heian-era flora, and motifs derived from emakimono (picture scrolls). Their reversible designs amplify this duality—one side often presents a dramatic ukiyo-e tableau, while the other expresses a softer, poetic aesthetic.

Collectors prize Chikiriya for its commitment to cultural preservation. Instead of focusing on mass appeal, the brand produces limited quantities, often featuring motifs that reference old Japanese legends, Buddhist iconography, and seasonal wagara (和柄) patterns found in kimono culture. Because of this, Chikiriya jackets frequently become archival pieces, valued by kimono collectors, sukajan enthusiasts, and vintage historians alike.

This makes every Chikiriya garment more than clothing—it is a curated slice of Japanese culture, transformed into a wearable artwork.

FEATURES & DETAILS

• Reversible design: Ukiyo-e whale wave art × Frog & lotus wagara embroidery

• Material: Velvet × satin blend

• Art style: Edo ukiyo-e, wagara floral symbolism, Kyoto artisan embroidery

• Colorway: Black × beige (Side A) / Burgundy × black (Side B)

• Fit: Classic sukajan silhouette

• Origin: Japan

• Condition: Vintage (see photos for details)

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