Originating from Yokosuka - The appeal of Sukajan

Yokosuka has long been a port town visited by foreign ships, and is a city with an exotic atmosphere. Before the war, it was a base for the Imperial Japanese Navy, and today it serves as a base for the Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. Navy in Japan. The enterprising spirit of the Imperial Japanese Navy has given birth to various traditions and cultures in Yokosuka.

Yokosuka Navy Burger, Yokosuka Navy Curry, Yokosuka Cherry Cheesecake...
The world's three largest memorial ships, Mikasa, Sarushima, Uraga Dock...

And of course, there's the Yokosuka jumper, commonly known as the "Sukajan"!

This time, we spoke with Hitomoto of MIKASA, a sukajan specialty store founded in 1950 on Yokosuka Dobuita Street that sells Tailor Toyo sukajan, Kosho sukajan, original and custom-made sukajan, and kanjan (60th birthday sukajan).

Please tell me about Sukajan.

Ippon-san : Sukajan is an abbreviation of "Yokosuka jumper." It was named "Sukajan" by combining "Suka" from Yokosuka and "Jan" from jumper.
Sukajan are made from shiny satin or velvet, which is called "velveteen" in the case of Sukajan, and are jumpers embroidered with eagles, tigers, dragons, and other designs.

Could you please tell me about the history of the Sukajan?

Ippon-san : The history of the Sukajan dates back to after the war, when it was created as a souvenir for American soldiers. It was originally called a "souvenir jacket." It was apparently a very popular item as a souvenir for American soldiers to take back to their home countries. The eagle, tiger, and dragon designs were apparently popular because they were reminiscent of the Orient and Asia from an American perspective.

What do you think is the appeal of the Sukajan?

Ippon-san : It's fashion that can be worn by a wide range of people, regardless of gender or age.

Please tell us about Yokosuka Dobuita Street, the birthplace of the Sukajan.

Ippon-san : Yes.
Dobuita Street flourished as a shipyard in the Edo period, a town for the former navy in the Meiji period, and as a town for the US Navy after the war. The name Dobuita Street comes from the fact that there was a dirty river running through the middle of the road, and the town was given an iron plate by the navy to cover the dirty river.

Of all the Sukajan you have made so far, is there any design that has left a lasting impression on you?

Ippon-san : When it comes to custom-made items, many of them are made with the thoughts and feelings of the person who placed the order. One recent example that really made an impression on me was a husband and wife who ordered a Sukajan jacket embroidered with the design of a vintage sports car that they owned.

The Sukajan is a fashion item that enjoys enduring popularity not only in Japan but all over the world.

The Yokosuka Museum of Art is currently holding the "15th Anniversary PRIDE OF YOKOSUKA Sukajan Exhibition."
The exhibition features approximately 140 pieces of Sukajan jackets from around the world, as well as works by contemporary artists, with a focus on the valuable vintage collection of Tailor Toyo (Toyo Enterprise Co., Ltd.).
The exhibition also introduces a part of the "base culture" that developed around U.S. military bases around the country, including photographs and documents of Dobuita Street after the war, and products that were actually sold to American soldiers. Visitors will be able to learn about Yokosuka's charm through its Sukajan jackets and American culture.

15th Anniversary Pride of Yokosuka Sukajan Exhibition

[store information]
MIKASA
[Address] 2-7 Honmachi, Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 238-0041
[TEL] 046-823-0312
[Business hours] 11:00-18:00
[Nearest station] 5 minutes walk from Keikyu "Shioiri" station
10 minutes walk from Keikyu "Yokosuka Chuo" station
15 minutes walk from JR Yokosuka Station
[Homepage] https://sukajyan.com/#about