Vintage Hashimoto Shokai Tiger Dragon Sukajan Reversible Japanese Souvenir Jacket Satin Bomber Size S

Rare Showa-Era Bamboo Tiger and Dragon Embroidered Reversible Yokosuka Jacket

A striking vintage Hashimoto Shokai sukajan with two fully embroidered personalities: a monumental prowling tiger emerging through bamboo on one side, and a classic dragon-and-tiger confrontation on the reverse.

The jacket’s dramatic black, ivory, royal blue, emerald and golden-orange palette captures the visual electricity of Japan’s postwar souvenir-jacket tradition. Every angle offers a different composition, from mirrored dragons and roaring tiger heads across the chest to two elaborate full-back embroidered scenes.

This is not merely reversible in color. It is effectively two complete collectible sukajan designs constructed as one jacket.

The Collector’s Hook

The primary black side is dominated by an unusually large tiger embroidered from an elevated, almost cinematic perspective. Its head and shoulders descend through bamboo foliage toward the viewer, with golden fur, black stripes, ivory whiskers, exposed fangs and dimensional facial shading creating a powerful sense of movement.

Turn the jacket inside out and the mood changes completely.

The reverse presents a luminous royal-blue satin body with two roaring tiger heads on the chest. Across the back, a green dragon descends through stylized clouds toward a seated tiger beside a rugged mountain landscape. The result is a classic East Asian confrontation between terrestrial and celestial power.

Identification

Brand: Hashimoto Shokai
Garment Type: Reversible sukajan / Japanese souvenir jacket
Marked Size: S
Estimated Western Fit: Approximately XS–S, depending on preferred fit
Construction: Reversible raglan bomber jacket
Primary Side: Black body with ivory sleeves and red-striped ribbing
Reverse Side: Royal-blue body with ivory sleeves and blue-striped ribbing
Closure: Reversible metal zipper
Origin: Japan
Period: Vintage Showa-era styling, likely mid- to late-20th century

Primary Side: Bamboo Tiger

The black satin side centers on a massive crouching tiger surrounded by bamboo and dark rockwork.

Its embroidery includes:

• Layered golden, orange and black fur
• Pale grey muzzle and whisker work
• Ivory cheek highlights
• Red mouth and visible fangs
• Green bamboo leaves with yellow accents
• Dark embroidered rocks and architectural details
• Mirrored emerald dragons across the chest
• White and crimson striped rib-knit trim

The compressed viewpoint makes the tiger appear to emerge directly from the garment. Rather than showing the animal in profile, the design brings its eyes and face forward, giving the back panel extraordinary visual presence.

Reverse Side: Dragon and Tiger

The blue side presents one of the most recognizable symbolic pairings in Japanese and East Asian art.

A green dragon moves through curling clouds above a seated golden tiger. Mountain peaks, bamboo and stylized atmospheric forms complete the scene.

The front carries two outward-facing roaring tiger heads, each embroidered with:

• Golden-yellow fur
• Black striping
• White cheek and neck details
• Open red mouths
• Ivory fangs and whiskers

This side has a brighter, more traditional souvenir-jacket character, contrasting beautifully with the darker theatrical mood of the black tiger side.

Tiger and Dragon Symbolism

The tiger embodies courage, physical strength, determination and command over the earthly realm. Bamboo strengthens this symbolism because it bends without breaking, representing resilience, adaptability and endurance.

The dragon is associated with wisdom, celestial authority, transformation and the elemental power of water and weather.

Together, dragon and tiger form a dynamic balance between heaven and earth, intuition and action, fluidity and force. Their confrontation is not simply a battle. It represents two equally formidable energies held in visual tension.

Sukajan Heritage

Japanese souvenir jackets emerged after the Second World War when service members stationed in Japan commissioned jackets decorated with local imagery, military insignia and regional names. Tigers, dragons and eagles became defining motifs of the form, while lustrous satin and reversible construction developed into enduring sukajan signatures.

This Hashimoto Shokai jacket preserves that traditional design language while offering an unusually elaborate double-sided composition.

Materials and Construction

The jacket is made from a lightweight, lustrous satin textile with extensive multicolor machine embroidery.

Construction details include:

• Fully reversible design
• Smooth satin body and sleeves
• Dense multilevel embroidery
• Raglan sleeve construction
• Contrasting sleeve stripes
• Two pockets on each wearable side
• Reversible metal zipper
• Elasticated rib-knit collar, cuffs and hem
• Lightweight, unpadded structure

The satin responds beautifully to light, shifting between deep shadow and liquid highlights as the jacket moves.

Period Assessment

The jacket appears consistent with a vintage Japanese Hashimoto Shokai souvenir piece from the later Showa-era market.

Its compact sizing, reversible satin construction, abbreviated body, traditional dragon-and-tiger iconography and contrasting striped ribbing all reflect established vintage sukajan design conventions.

The embroidery itself combines two approaches: the broad, dramatic naturalism of the bamboo tiger and the more traditional graphic vocabulary of the dragon-and-tiger reverse. This contrast gives the jacket particular appeal for collectors of Japanese souvenir clothing.

Condition

Good vintage condition with authentic age-related character.

The satin displays natural creasing, light surface variation and gentle signs of previous wear. The ivory sleeves may show subtle age toning or minor handling marks consistent with a vintage light-colored textile.

The embroidered compositions remain vivid and highly legible, with strong colors and substantial dimensional threadwork. The rib-knit trim retains its striped pattern and characteristic vintage appearance.

Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.

Approximate Flat Measurements

• Chest width: Approximately 51–52 cm / 20.1–20.5 in
• Back length: Approximately 57–58 cm / 22.4–22.8 in
• Underarm to cuff: Approximately 46–47 cm / 18.1–18.5 in
• Marked size: S

Japanese vintage sizing generally runs smaller and shorter than contemporary Western sizing. The jacket is best considered approximately Western XS–S, although fit depends on body proportions and styling preference.

Please compare these measurements with a similar raglan jacket that already fits comfortably.

Styling and Display

The two sides offer distinctly different styling possibilities.

Wear the black tiger side with dark denim, boots or monochrome tailoring for maximum drama. Reverse it to royal blue for a brighter heritage look with vintage jeans, military trousers or Japanese workwear.

The jacket also displays exceptionally well as textile art. Its monumental tiger back would make a commanding addition to a Japanese fashion archive, tattoo studio, private collection, boutique interior or wall-mounted sukajan display.

Why Collect This Piece

• Vintage Hashimoto Shokai attribution
• Fully reversible two-design construction
• Monumental bamboo tiger embroidery
• Traditional dragon-and-tiger reverse
• Embroidery across both fronts and backs
• Compact Japanese size S
• Strong Showa-era souvenir-jacket character
• Highly displayable wearable art
• Scarce collector-oriented configuration

Shipping and Shop Policies

This is a vintage collectible garment offered in its present condition.

Please review the photographs, measurements and condition details carefully before purchasing. Due to the vintage and collectible nature of the jacket, all sales are final. Returns, exchanges and condition-related claims cannot be accepted.

Worldwide shipping is available from Japan through tracked EMS. Orders are normally prepared within 3–5 business days. Import duties, local taxes and customs charges remain the buyer’s responsibility.

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Material Tags

Satin Textile, Multicolor Embroidery Thread, Rib-Knit Trim, Metal Reversible Zipper