Up for sale here is a shirt from the Sugar Cane label, a part of the Toyo Enterprise family of labels that includes Buzz Rickson, Sun Surf, Tailor Tokyo, Indian Motorcycle, and several others. Sugar Cane themselves manufacture a lot of Mister Freedom’s collections and distribute them in Japan. Needless to say, their credentials are very strong on the vintage-inspired, workwear-influenced Japanese clothing industry.
What we have here is a summer weight cotton shirt, done with a sashiko knit, a sort of functional embroidery style used in traditional Japanese workwear. In this case the sashiko is pretty light in weight, where it serves well as a decorative, somewhat subtle accent. Fabric is black and I am not sure if it has been indigo dyed – if it has it is not apparent from the tag, although the discoloration of the interior tag makes it look like there has been some kind of unique dyeing.
Aside from the knit, the shirt incorporates some interesting nut buttons throughout, side gussets with chainstitch runoff, and a nicely contrasting red interior bobbin thread. This is a pretty rare model of shirt, one that I haven’t personally come across before, and ideal for the warmer weather. Get it here at a fraction of the retail price.
Size is labeled a medium and fits true. I measure the chest at 21.5” / 55cm, shoulders at 17” / 44cm and length at 29” / 73cm. The shirt comes in lightly used, good shape. There is some minor fading to the fabric around the collar and shoulders, but if anything it gives the material more character. Otherwise no holes, tears or stains. Made in Japan.
Shipping from Japan to anywhere will be $24.