The Officer Sourabaya — Vintage Japanese Matchbox Label Unisex Tee

The Story

A uniformed officer stands at ease among tropical palms, sword at his side, beneath a bold arched banner. The Officer. Impregnated Safety Match. Muhin Sourabaya.

This label is a window into one of the most layered commercial worlds of the pre-war era. Sourabaya — present-day Surabaya, Indonesia — was a major port city in the Dutch East Indies, and labels like this one were produced in Japan for distribution across the archipelago, carrying the visual language of colonial authority into every household that bought a box of matches. The electric blue ground, the tropical setting, the crisp military figure — it's a graphic that could only have existed in that precise intersection of time, place, and trade.

On black it's a statement. On navy it's a mood. On white it opens up entirely. On leaf green it becomes something unexpected and completely right.

Who This Is For

For the Japanese vintage collector, the Asian history enthusiast, the graphic tee wearer who wants something with genuine historical depth behind it. This is not a designed-to-look-vintage shirt — it is a vintage label, faithfully reproduced, on a premium unisex tee built to last.

The unisex retail fit works for every body type — worn fitted, relaxed, tucked, or layered under an open overshirt. Four colorways available at checkout: black, navy blue, white, and leaf green.

About the Collection

Every design in the Ichinichi Collection is drawn from a personal archive of original Japanese matchbox labels spanning 1880 to 1940. The Dutch East Indies export series is among the rarest and most historically rich in the collection — labels commissioned by traders in Java, Sumatra, and the wider archipelago, printed in Japan with full Meiji-era technical mastery, and largely lost to history until now.

Fabric & Construction

Made from 100% Airlume combed and ring-spun cotton — lightweight at 4.2 oz/yd² (142 g/m²), breathable, and built to keep its shape over time. Unisex retail fit with crew neckline, ribbed knit collar, tapered shoulders, and dual side seams. Tear-away label for comfort. Ethically made — Fair Labor Association member, Platinum WRAP certified, no sweatshop production.

Note: Sleeve prints and neck labels use DTF (Direct-to-Film) printing technology where applicable.

Size Guide (inches)

Size tolerance: ±1.50 in. Unisex fit runs true to size — size up for a more relaxed look.

Fabric blends by color: 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.