The Story
Printed in Japan. Made in Burma. A label that crossed the Indian Ocean before most people had crossed their own town.
This bold crimson elephant label is a genuine artifact from the Ichinichi archive , produced at the height of Japan's pre-war matchbox export industry, when Japanese printing houses supplied labels for goods distributed across British Burma and Southeast Asia. The engraved elephant at center, set inside a striped oval, flanked by portrait medallion seals ,this is Meiji-era commercial illustration operating at full confidence.
Against navy, the red and ivory of the label lands with the clean contrast of a vintage travel poster. Worn-in, washed-out at the edges, completely authentic.
Who This Is For
For the Japanese vintage enthusiast, the colonial Asia history buff, the graphic tee collector who is done with logos and ready for something with actual provenance. This label existed in the real world on a real matchbox, sold in a real market in Burma long before it landed on this shirt.
It wears equally well with workwear, denim, and relaxed weekend layers. The navy colorway makes it one of the most versatile pieces in the collection.
About the Collection
Every design in the Ichinichi Collection is sourced from a personal archive of original Japanese matchbox labels spanning 1880 to 1940. The Burma export series is among the most historically significant in the archive labels commissioned for the British colonial market, printed with the precision and artistry that defined Japanese commercial printing of the era, and virtually impossible to find today.
Product Details
- Material: 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton
- Weight: 4.2 oz/yd² (142 g/m²) — lightweight and breathable
- Fit: Unisex retail fit · Crew neckline · Ribbed knit collar
- Construction: Tapered shoulders · Dual side seams for shape retention
- Label: Tear-away minimal skin irritation
- Ethics: Fair Labor Association · Platinum WRAP certified · No sweatshop
- Sleeve prints and neck labels use DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing where applicable
SIZE GUIDE (inches)
|
S |
M |
L |
XL |
2XL |
3XL |
| Width |
18.00 |
20.00 |
22.00 |
24.00 |
26.00 |
28.00 |
| Length |
28.00 |
29.00 |
30.00 |
31.00 |
32.00 |
33.00 |
| Sleeve |
8.90 |
9.20 |
9.50 |
9.70 |
10.00 |
10.40 |
Size tolerance: ±1.50 in across all measurements.
Fabric blends: Ash and Heather Prism — 99% cotton / 1% polyester. Heather and Solid Blend — 52% cotton / 48% polyester. Athletic Heather and Black Heather — 90% cotton / 10% polyester.
