Tensai Bakabon “Korede Iinoda” Reversible Sukajan, Akatsuka Character Embroidery, Black and Ivory Satin

The sukajan meets manga absurdism. “Korede iinoda” arcs across the back of this vintage reversible jacket above a cast of mischievous characters from the Tensai Bakabon and Fujio Akatsuka world, with sleeve scenes that turn the whole garment into a wraparound comic narrative.

The Piece

This unusually playful vintage sukajan fuses the rebellious silhouette of the Yokosuka souvenir jacket with the surreal comic universe of Tensai Bakabon and the broader Fujio Akatsuka visual world, including Unagi Inu and Bakabon-world motifs. In place of dragons, tigers or eagles it turns fully to manga humor: embroidered cartoon creatures, slogan lettering, sleeve narratives, cloud-borne figures and comic mischief spread across both faces. The phrase “Korede iinoda”, loosely “This is fine as it is” or “That's the way it is”, evokes absurdist humor, stubborn individuality and eccentric philosophical acceptance, and on this garment it reads as a visual manifesto. Bug-eyed creatures, exaggerated mouths, comic tension and clownish sleeve storytelling replace the solemn heroic symbolism of traditional sukajan.

The black side is the louder face. Its glossy black satin carries a large white cursive “Korede iinoda” across the upper back, a bold yellow moon-like disc, central character imagery in blue, black, red, white and yellow, including a blue character face and a black cat-like figure, and additional cityline and graphic outline details, a near-symmetrical but intentionally chaotic poster panel. The sleeves are active parts of the composition, carrying stacked characters, dangling forms and tiny comic scenes running vertically like animated side panels, visible even from the back. On the front, large stylized appliqué kanji-like forms anchor the chest while the sleeve embroidery dominates the clean black center field.

The ivory reverse softens the tone but not the personality: “Korede Iinoda” in block capitals across the top, two comic figures floating on stylized clouds, and black, silver-gray and metallic gold embroidery building a strange storm-like scene with gold lightning around them, on a quieter, lighter field with the character art concentrated at the back.

This is embroidery, not printed novelty: the characters are built through dense threadwork, layered fill stitching and careful line definition, so that faces, cloud scrolls, lightning and lettering read clearly and theatrically from a distance. The piece documents the phase when the sukajan moved from military souvenir to carrier of Japanese pop imagination: it preserves the souvenir-jacket form, replaces military or animal iconography with character narrative, reflects the crossover between manga, youth rebellion, humor and fashion, and turns a traditionally masculine postwar silhouette into a canvas for retro Japanese graphic identity. Funny, weird, slightly delinquent and unmistakably Japanese, it is a full character-art example with unusual sleeve work, appealing equally to fashion, anime and pop-culture collectors and to display-focused collectors of wearable art.

Details

• Era: Likely 1990s to 2000s (late Showa to Heisei-era revival / later vintage character-fashion piece); undated
• Origin: Japan
• Material: Satin or satin-like synthetic shell; synthetic lining; multicolor machine embroidery; striped black-and-ivory rib knit; metal zipper
• Color: Black side and ivory side, with blue, red, white, yellow, silver-gray and gold embroidery
• Size: Measurements (pit to pit, back length, raglan sleeve from collar, hem width, shoulder guidance) available on request
• Construction: Reversible satin souvenir jacket; zip front; raglan sleeves; ribbed collar, cuffs and hem; lightly padded souvenir-jacket structure; embroidery across front, sleeves and back
• Text: “Korede iinoda” (black side, cursive) / “Korede Iinoda” (ivory side, block capitals)
• Motifs: Cartoon characters, moon or disc motif, cloud scenes, lightning, sleeve character panels, stylized kanji at the chest
• Gender: Unisex

Condition

• Vintage pre-owned condition with visible age and use consistent with a collectible satin souvenir jacket; not deadstock or pristine.
• The embroidery remains visually strong and the jacket presents very well overall, especially on the black side, where the motifs read crisply and the satin keeps an attractive sheen.
• The ivory reverse shows age-related wear more visibly, as is common with light-colored satin.
• Visible and likely characteristics include general creasing and wrinkling, satin pressure marks and storage lines, minor scuffs, pulls or surface irregularities, age-related discoloration or tone variation especially on the lighter side, light wear to the ribbed collar, cuffs and hem, small signs of use around the zipper and pockets, and possible loose threads or minor embroidery wear.
• Nothing in the photographs suggests the garment has lost its visual identity; please review them with vintage expectations in mind.

Sizing Guidance

Vintage Japanese souvenir jackets often fit differently from modern Western sizing, sometimes shorter in the body and narrower through the chest. Rely on exact measurements rather than assumed size conventions, and compare them with a jacket you already wear comfortably.

Authenticity & Care

No maker’s label is identified; the Tensai Bakabon and Fujio Akatsuka association rests on the imagery and the “Korede iinoda” phrase rather than on documented licensing. 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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