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. Fiber content varies by product and is listed on each Sukaizen product page.
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.