A jacket crafted by a genuine sukajan manufacturer
This is Tailor Toyo's reversible sukajan jacket, the "WHITE TIGER" x "GOLD DRAGON" Fall/Winter 2025 model.
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 Kosho 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 sukajan 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.
"WHITE TIGER" x "GOLD DRAGON"
The front features a rare vintage tiger pattern from the mid-1950s, depicting a white tiger at an angle from above.
Making full use of the needlework, the tiger stripes are not filled in with embroidery, but are instead partially visible, highlighting the black of the fabric and creating a three-dimensional effect.
The body and sleeves are a unified black color, with jet black ribbing and black and white piping, creating a chic finish in which the white tiger stands out against the monotone body.
The reversible side features a golden dragon emerging from the water's edge amid splashes of water.
The design is characterized by a dynamic composition, with its long body looming while hidden among the clouds, against the blue body reminiscent of clear skies, and only the dragon's face is outlined in black, emphasizing the sense of perspective and power.
An eagle and a tiger are depicted on each side of the chest, making this a luxurious piece that combines the three main motifs of sukajan: eagle, tiger, and dragon.
Craftsmanship that creates powerful designs
Sukajan embroidery is not done with standard automatic sewing machines, but with a special machine called a "horizontal swing sewing machine." The resulting embroidery is so delicate that the artisan's skill and intuition determine the width of the stitching, needle foot, and thread color, among other factors.
Tailor Toyo's sukajan are overseen by artisans who have been embroidering since the 1950s, ensuring a truly authentic finish.
Details that faithfully reproduce the vintage look
The zipper is a reproduction of a Japanese 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, acetate, which has a luxurious feel similar to silk, was used after the war due to material restrictions that made it difficult to procure silk thread.
Other features, such as double-welt pockets, are a testament to meticulous craftsmanship, making this a garment that can be enjoyed for its faithful vintage design.
This replica of the baseball jacket familiar to Americans features oriental embroidery, a popular souvenir, giving it the unique appeal of a "Western garment originating in Japan."
As a fashion item, it continued to gain popularity throughout the '90s, but in recent years, coupled with the revival of '90s street fashion, sukajan have attracted even more attention.
Its versatility means it can be worn with a wide range of styles, from a classic, fitted fit to an oversized look.
The neckline is streamlined, and the sleeves are raglan, creating a gentle silhouette from neck to shoulder.
Its versatility means it can be worn with a wide range of styles, from a classic, fitted fit to an oversized look.
The surface features a rare vintage tiger pattern from the mid-1950s, depicting a white tiger from an overhead angle. Using a needlepoint technique, the tiger stripes are not filled in with embroidery, revealing the black of the fabric in parts, emphasizing the contours and creating a three-dimensional effect. The white tiger stands out against the monochrome, all-black body with jet-black ribbing and black and white piping for a chic finish.
The reversible side features a golden dragon emerging from the water's edge amidst splashes of water. Set against a blue body reminiscent of clear skies, the design features a dynamic composition in which the dragon's long body looms, hidden among the clouds, and the black outline of only the dragon's face emphasizes the sense of perspective and power. An eagle and a tiger are depicted on the chest, creating a luxurious piece that brings together the three main motifs of sukajan: eagle, tiger, and dragon.
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
