Reference
Sukajan Glossary
The vocabulary behind Sukaizen jackets — Japanese motifs, embroidery terms, and cultural references explained in plain English.
What you'll find
14 entries grouped into 5 categories — covering the Sukajan garment itself, its post-war history, every common Japanese motif, the materials and techniques behind hand-guided embroidery, and the subcultures that shaped the form.
Section 01
Garment & Form
What the Sukajan is, and where it sits in fashion history.
Sukajan
スカジャン
A Japanese souvenir bomber jacket born in post-war Yokosuka. Combines a satin or silk shell with large embroidered Japanese motifs. The name itself fuses 'Suka' (Yokosuka) and 'jan' (jumper/jacket).
Section 02
History & Origin
Places, eras, and movements that shaped the Sukajan tradition.
Yokosuka
横須賀
Port city south of Tokyo, home to a major US naval base after World War II. Birthplace of the Sukajan jacket, where Japanese tailors embroidered souvenir jackets for American servicemen in the late 1940s.
Section 03
Motifs & Symbols
The Japanese cultural imagery embroidered onto Sukajan jackets.
Ryū
Ryū · 竜 / 龍
The Japanese dragon. Unlike Western dragons, Ryū is benevolent — a guardian symbolising wisdom, water mastery, strength, and divine protection.
Tora
Tora · 虎
The tiger. One of the four sacred beasts of East Asian mythology, guardian of the west. Symbolises courage, strength, and protection against evil.
Nishikigoi
Nishikigoi (Koi) · 錦鯉
Ornamental coloured carp. Symbolises perseverance, ambition, and transformation — Japanese legend says koi who swim up the Dragon Gate become dragons.
Fujisan
Fujisan · 富士山
Mount Fuji. Japan's most iconic peak and a symbol of stillness, beauty, and national identity. Often paired with sakura or moonlight on Sukajan motifs.
Oni
鬼
A folkloric demon. Fierce in appearance but functionally protective — Oni masks (Oni-men) are used in Japanese festivals to ward off misfortune and invite blessings.
Hōō
Hōō · 鳳凰
The Japanese phoenix. A divine bird that appears only in times of peace and prosperity, symbolising virtue, grace, and renewal. Unlike Western phoenixes, Hōō does not require destruction to manifest.
Sakura
桜
Cherry blossom. Symbolises the beauty and impermanence of life (mono no aware). Frequently embroidered alongside Mount Fuji or koi on Sukajan jackets.
Tsuru
鶴
The crane. Symbol of longevity, fidelity, and good fortune. Folded into origami to wish for healing or peace; embroidered on Sukajan to signify long life.
Hannya
般若
A theatrical Noh mask depicting a woman transformed into a vengeful demon. As a Sukajan motif, Hannya signals duality — beauty and rage, love and pain.
Section 04
Materials & Technique
Fabrics, stitches, and craft vocabulary used in production.
Satin
A weave (not a fibre) characterised by a smooth, light-catching surface and matte underside. Sukaizen uses premium polyester satin for durability while preserving the heritage drape and embroidery contrast.
Stitch density
The number of embroidery stitches per square centimetre in a motif. Higher density gives richer colour saturation, sharper detail, and longer-lasting embroidery — the hallmark of authentic Sukajan craft.
Section 05
Culture & Subculture
Movements and aesthetic references in Sukajan culture.
Bōsōzoku
暴走族
Japanese motorcycle subculture from the 1970s–80s known for customising Sukajan jackets and tokkō-fuku jumpsuits with kanji and gang motifs. A pop-cultural reference point in Sukajan history.