TAILOR TOYO 24AW Souvenir Jacket

**TAILOR TOYO / テーラー東洋**

The souvenir jacket (Sukajan) originated in the immediate postwar period when American soldiers stationed in Japan had oriental patterns (eagles, tigers, dragons), their unit affiliations, and base names embroidered on their jackets as souvenirs of their stay. These jackets were then commercialized as souvenirs and sold at PXs (short for Post Exchange, a common name for military base stores) across the country.

The company that supplied these souvenir jackets and other clothing to US military bases was Kōshō Shōkai, the predecessor of TAILOR TOYO (Tōyō Enterprise), which was at the forefront of souvenir jacket production in the 1950s, holding a 95% market share.

TAILOR TOYO, which has been making souvenir jackets for over half a century since Kōshō, is the original creator of the Sukajan, not just a passing fad, but a brand that has continued to inherit the Sukajan as a culture.

This model is the Lot No. TT15542-119 / Early 1950s Style Acetate Souvenir Jacket JAPAN MAP × GOLD DRAGON.

The front features a Japan map pattern with Mount Fuji, a five-story pagoda, cherry blossoms, pines, torii gates, and other beautiful Japanese scenery. It is a reproduction of early 1950s vintage, characterized by its luxurious design with minimal plain areas and the entire back covered in embroidery. The colorful threads of the white-based Japanese map and motifs stand out against the black body, and the green ribs and red and white rope piping add a touch of elegance to this exquisite piece.

The reversible side features a majestic design of a golden dragon dancing on a blue body reminiscent of a clear sky. In contrast to the front, the embroidery is characterized by its exquisite balance, making good use of the blank space.

The dragon and tiger on the chest are the same design as the front, but upon closer inspection, the use of colored threads is different. This is because vintage jackets were made using the same embroidery pattern for both sides, and the embroidery artisans of the time took care to change the color scheme to match the fabric color, even for the same design.