‘Big In Japan’ Reimagined Vintage Kimono - Kimono Zulu Artist Collaboration with BEAST Syndicate

Artist Statement: "Ryūjin“Japanese culture has been an inspiration since day one” says Jeremy Thompson, creative director and founder of visual art studio Beast Syndicate (BEAST). “Futuristic robots, striking manga graphics, and the unique shapes of katakana characters have always been important components of my creative process”.

When invited to utilize vintage kimonos as a creative canvas, BEAST pursued an ‘East meets West’ theme. Inspired by the custom-painted motorcycle jackets worn by punk rockers in the 1970-80s, BEAST painted each kimono with popular graphics from the studio’s back-catalog.

‘Big In Japan’
Random cyan and magenta spray paint textures transform this kimono’s original fabric pattern into something more reminiscent of 1980s surf/skate culture than conservative mid-century Japan. Featuring a dramatic Godzilla-like creature and original trademark katakana logo, ‘Big In Japan’ is based on one of BEAST’s very first T-shirt graphics.

One-of-a-kind, cotton.
Unisex, one size fits most