■A Special Aloha Shirt Featuring a Masterpiece of Japanese Art
Sun Surf × Japanese Designs | Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa”
・A recreation of a masterpiece representing Japanese art history as an aloha shirt
・Meticulous color reproduction that recreates the “indigo” Hokusai loved to use
・A highly artistic piece that treats the aloha shirt as a canvas
・Collector’s edition that includes a special tag and case
Sun Surf, a long-established aloha shirt brand, presents “Japanese Designs: National Treasure of Japan,” a series that focuses on Edo-period artists and recreates the works of these masters on the canvas of the aloha shirt.
The motif for this piece is “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” a large-format nishiki-e print known as one of the representative works among the 46 prints in the woodblock print collection “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji,” which Katsushika Hokusai began working on around the age of 71 and was published around Tenpō 2 (1831).
This work, which enjoys worldwide renown, is highly regarded not only as a Hokusai piece but also as one of the masterpieces representing the history of Japanese art.
■About the Brand | SUN SURF
SUN SURF is a brand that analyzes its vast collection of vintage aloha shirts and pours a strong commitment to technique and craftsmanship into every single piece.
SUN SURF’s aloha shirts are renowned as exceptional pieces that attract a wide range of fans—from American casual fashion enthusiasts to aloha shirt collectors—because they faithfully recreate the charm of vintage aloha shirts in every detail, from the designs to the fabrics and stitching.
“Off the Coast of Kanagawa” refers to the waters off Kanagawa, a post town on the Tōkaidō; this work is believed to depict a view from the area near present-day Tokyo Bay.
Navigating the waves are transport boats carrying fresh fish from the Bōsō and Izu regions to Edo. The boats are tossed about by the violently surging waves, while Mount Fuji stands motionless in the background.
By contrasting movement with stillness, and power with tranquility, this work masterfully captures one of Japan’s most iconic landscapes.
Also worth noting is Hokusai’s meticulous attention to the depiction of the indigo blue hue.
The deep, vivid blue—originally painted with “Vero indigo,” an imported pigment that was still rare at the time—has been reproduced as faithfully as possible in this piece using an indigo pigment similar to the one Hokusai used.
Even Hokusai’s meticulous attention to color has been brought to life on this aloha shirt.
■ Special Features Unique to a Collector’s Item
A label exclusive to this series is placed on the back of the collar.
It also comes with a special case, making for a finish worthy of a collector’s item.
■ Textures That Enhance the Artwork’s Appeal
The fabric is Rayon Fujiett, which combines the suppleness reminiscent of Fuji silk with the soft drape characteristic of rayon.
Its slightly worn appearance, such as slight pilling, further enhances the atmosphere of this piece, which is inspired by Japanese art.
■ Reproducing the Details of a Vintage Aloha Shirt
The neckline features the classic open collar design typical of Aloha shirts.
By fastening the top button with the loop beneath the collar, you can enjoy varying your look.
The buttons are made of white mother-of-pearl, which has an elegant luster. They change their appearance depending on how the light hits them, effectively highlighting the design—the true star of the piece.
Additionally, the left chest pocket features a luxurious design where the pattern is precisely matched to the body of the shirt. This construction requires high-level sewing skills and a significant amount of fabric, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail unique to Sun Surf.
・Made in Japan
・100% Rayon
Size Chart(cm)
Size/Back Length/Chest/Shoulder/Sleeve
M(38)/68/54/47/22.5
L(40)/70/56/48/23.5
XL(42)/72/58/50/24.5
