A jacket crafted by a genuine sukajan manufacturer
This is Tailor Toyo's reversible sukajan jacket, the "ALASKAN EAGLE" x "DOG SLED" model for Fall/Winter 2025.
Sukajan jackets began as souvenir jackets sold at U.S. military base kiosks shortly after the war. At their peak in the 1950s, production was dominated by Minato Shokai, the predecessor to Toyo Enterprises, the company that develops the Tailor Toyo brand, which held a 95% share of the supply market.
This jacket, crafted by this sukajan-making brand that has been making jackets for over half a century, is known for its exceptional attention to detail, from the texture of the fabric to the embroidery techniques, making it a must-have for sukajan enthusiasts.
"ALASKAN EAGLE" x "DOG SLED"
This model is a reproduction of the extremely rare and highly sought-after Alaska-patterned souvenir jacket, commonly known as the "Alaskajan."
The front side is based on a vintage design from the late 1950s, featuring a lightning bolt and polar bear embroidery on the chest, and a bald eagle and Mount McKinley soaring above the ice floes on the back.
Alaska, with its unspoiled natural beauty, is known as "America's Last Frontier," and this message is embroidered at the bottom of the design.
The white, blue, and red tricolor color scheme reminiscent of the Stars and Stripes, as well as the three stripes on the sleeves, unique to Alaska jackets, add a finishing touch to the design.
The reversible side features an unusual black and orange color scheme, featuring an Alaskan house and totem pole, and on the back, an aurora borealis, the Alaska Mountains, and an Alaskan husky dogsled.
This design is a reproduction of a sukajan created in the 1950s by Minato Shosho Shokai, the predecessor to Tailor Toyo, at the request of the U.S. military and sold in the commissary on the Alaskan base.
Craftsmanship Creates Powerful Designs
Sukajan embroidery is not done with standard automatic sewing machines, but with a specialized machine known as a "horizontal swing sewing machine."
As a result, the embroidery is so delicate that the artisan's skill and intuition determine the stitch width, needle foot, thread color, and other aspects.
Tailor Toyo's sukajan are overseen by artisans who have been embroidering since the 1950s, ensuring authenticity of the original finish.
The neckline has a clean silhouette.
The raglan sleeves feature contrasting color schemes, allowing for good shoulder mobility and creating a unique line and appearance from neck to shoulder.
The front closure features a butterfly zipper with handles on both the front and back.
Faithfully Recreated Vintage Details
The zipper is based on a Japanese-made zipper that was in use until the mid-1950s.
The material is acetate, the most standard for sukajan, and is characterized by its soft texture and drape.
Historically, after the war, procuring silk thread was difficult due to material restrictions, so acetate, which has a luxurious feel similar to silk, was used instead.
Other features, such as double-welt pockets, are a testament to careful craftsmanship, making this a piece that is faithful to its vintage design.
This jacket is modeled after the baseball jacket familiar to Americans, and features oriental embroidery, a popular souvenir, giving it a unique appeal, evoking the aura of "Western Clothing of Japanese Origin."
It continued to gain popularity as a fashion item throughout the 1990s, and in recent years, coupled with the revival of 1990s street fashion, the sukajan has attracted even more attention.
Its versatility, catering to a wide range of tastes, from classic, just-right styles to oversized styles, is another appealing feature.
This extremely rare and highly sought-after Alaska-patterned souvenir jacket, commonly known as the "Alaskajan," is a truly unique and appealing piece. The front side is based on a vintage design from the late 1950s, featuring a lightning bolt and polar bear embroidery on the chest, and a bald eagle soaring above the ice floes and Mount McKinley on the back. Alaska, with its pristine natural beauty, is known as "America's Last Frontier," and this message is embroidered at the bottom. The tricolor color scheme on the body, reminiscent of the Stars and Stripes, and the three stripes on the sleeves, unique to Alaska jackets, are also distinctive features.
The reversible side features an unusual black and orange color scheme, featuring an Alaskan house and totem pole, and on the back, an aurora, the Alaska Mountains, and an Alaskan husky dog sled. This is a reproduction of a sukajan jacket that was commissioned by Minato Shoko Shokai (the predecessor to Tailor Toyo) in the 1950s and sold at the commissary on the Alaska base.
made in china
100% acetate
Size Chart(cm)
※From the center of the back neck point to the sleeve end
Size/Back Length/Chest/※Sleeve
S(36)/58/53/81
M(38)/59/56/83
L(40)/60/58/86
XL(42)/61/61/89
XXL(44)/62.5/62/92
XXXL(46)/63.5/63/95
