2026.10.07
SUMI DYED HORSE '50s TYPE II JEAN JACKET _SHB-163
At Y'2 LEATHER, we have been exploring ways to bring Japan's traditional dyes and dyeing culture to the world through leather.
This journey has led us to three distinctive materials: INDIGO DYED, KAKISHIBU DYED, and the one we are introducing today, SUMI DYED HORSE.
Although all three are rooted in traditional Japanese dyeing, each develops its own unique character with wear.
KAKISHIBU gradually becomes deeper and richer in color as it ages.
INDIGO, on the other hand, develops much like denim. With continued wear, natural fading and high-contrast areas begin to appear, creating increasingly distinctive shades of blue.
And then there is SUMI.
For this leather, we use traditional sumi ink from Nara, Japan.
The result is a deep, distinctive black — truly jet black.
The slightly textured grain surface also gives the leather a unique character of its own.
Beneath the black surface is a "Saddle" base color, slightly lighter than brown.
As the jacket is worn and the black surface gradually rubs away in high-wear areas, the Saddle color underneath begins to reveal itself, creating a beautiful contrast against the deep black.
Because this Saddle base comes from vegetable-tanned leather, it will continue to develop as well. Once the base begins to show, lightly applying oil to those areas will allow the color to gradually
darken and deepen with age.
The jacket is not at its best only when it is new.
It continues to change and develop its own character depending on how it is worn.
That aging process is one of the things that makes SUMI DYED HORSE so special.
And now, a new model has joined our SUMI DYED HORSE lineup.
"SUMI DYED HORSE '50s TYPE II JEAN JACKET / SHB-163"
This jacket is based on workwear produced by American store brands in the 1950s, reinterpreted through the perspective of Y'2 LEATHER.
Original versions from the period appeared with different details depending on the era, including laurel buttons and zipper closures. For our version, we chose Y'2 LEATHER original tack buttons.
We also added a wool lining for warmth and practicality while maintaining the character of the original design.
Another distinctive feature is the placement of the patch pockets. Rather than positioning them on the chest, as is common on jean jackets, they have been moved down toward the hem, giving this
model its unique appearance.
While many of our standard jean jacket models are designed without a cinch-back belt, the SHB-163 incorporates one in keeping with the vintage details that inspired the design.
Deep jet black gradually giving way to the Saddle color underneath.
We look forward to seeing how each SUMI DYED HORSE jacket develops its own character through years of wear.
The SHB-163 will begin shipping to our dealers this week.
Please contact your nearest Y'2 LEATHER dealer for availability.




