Hello everybody! It is How Unique Japan again! This time, I would love to talk about unique Japanese clothes. It is like a Stadium jacket that has some embroideries instead of patches. They are called Suka Jan. In English, it is a Souvenir Jacket.
The history
Why is it named (Souvenir) and how was it born? There are several theories about it. At least, It is deeply concerned with WW2.
After the war was over, the Americans established their bases around Japan. Those were also for the preparation for the Korean War 1950 – 1953. During their stand-by, they were impressed by some beauties of Japanese art and traditional clothes, for example, Kimono.
Such a beauty easily tied off their wallets because they thought those oriental things could be good souvenirs.
Eventually, one unique idea happened to souvenir sellers who might have lived around the Yokosuka base. It combined oriental embroideries like tigers, Chinese dragons, or eagles with stadium jackets or military uniforms. So, it was the time of Souvenir jackets being born.
Coincidently, some soldiers at the Yokosuka base also ordered tailor shops to arrange their army uniforms with the embroidery they purchased. It is also the origin story.
So, nobody knows the origin of the jacket. Seller was first? Or the soldiers?
By the way, the Japanese called it Suka Jan (Jum). That is the shortened name of Yokosuka Jumper.
The materials
They are made from Niron now. It replaced the Acetate ration which was used for expressing vintage silk taste in old times.
One more fun fact. The Jacket / Jumper is based on the army uniform. So, the behind of the Jumber is usually painted with a bright one, for example, orange or red. It is for emergency time like a plane crash.
Latest style
The embroidery’s design is strongly concerned with oriental images. But nowadays, the design has been developed uniquely. Some of them have very famous Japanese cartoon/manga characters on the back, chest, or around arms. The others can have Avenger heroes, like Iron Man.
It is a simple article about the Suka Jan today.
Thank you so much for reading this article, everyone! If you are interested in my web page, please feel free to visit the front page.
See you for the next Japanese article!