· Era: Taisho – Early Showa Period (approx. 1910s–1930s)
· Material: Wool
· Color: Black

── A Coat That Carries Its Own Weather ──

Before fast fashion. Before synthetic fibres. Before the idea that clothing could be disposable.

A skilled tailor in Taisho-era Japan cut this coat for someone who understood quality. A writer, perhaps. A doctor. A man of culture who moved through the modernising streets of Tokyo with quiet authority.

That coat is now here.

■ What Is a Tonbi Coat?

The Tonbi (二重廻し, Niju-Mawashi — "double wrap") is a cape-style overcoat that became the defining silhouette of the Japanese intellectual and craftsman from the late Meiji through the Taisho and early Showa periods. Its lineage traces back to the Inverness Cape of the Scottish Highlands — arriving in Japan in the latter half of the 19th century, where it was reinterpreted for a life lived between kimono and Western dress.

You may recognise the silhouette. It shares the same ancestry as the coat worn by Sherlock Holmes. A garment where East and West converge — and where Japan made it entirely its own.

■ What Makes This Piece Different

Most surviving Tonbi coats offer the silhouette alone. This one comes with something rare: a removable hood.

The hood is not original to the period — it was added later, as a practical measure against cold and rain. It is offered here as a bonus, not a defining feature. Remove it, and you have the Tonbi in its purest form: the double-cape drape, the clean shoulder line, the quiet authority of black wool that has aged a century.

Keep it on, and you have something else entirely — a hooded cape coat with a silhouette that feels simultaneously ancient and strangely contemporary.

The wool itself tells the story. Thick, structured, with a depth of texture that no new fabric can replicate. This is what a hundred years of existence feels like in your hands.

■ Who This Is For

— Collectors of Japanese vintage outerwear and archival fashion
— Those who style kimono, haori, or Japanese antique dress
— Fans of slow fashion and one-of-a-kind garments
— Anyone drawn to genderless, oversized, cape-style silhouettes
— Those seeking an Inverness-style coat for cosplay, stage, or editorial use

Pairs beautifully with wide trousers, a simple white shirt, leather boots, or geta sandals. The hood adds an unexpected layer — wear it up for drama, remove it for restraint.

No two are alike. Surviving examples grow scarcer every year. A witness to history, now in your hands.

■ SIZE

· Length (back neckline to hem): approx. 124 cm / 48.8 in
· Chest (straight across underarm): approx. 61 cm / 24.0 in
· Model height: 171 cm / 5'7"
※ Please allow for minor measurement discrepancies.

■ CONDITION

· The lining has deteriorated, with partial tearing and discolouration. The lining fabric itself appears weakened overall.
· Some stitching is absent at the hem of the lining — it is unclear whether this is original construction or subsequent loss.
· Small holes are present on the interior.
· Some buttons have changed in appearance, though they do not appear to be structurally deteriorated.

Please examine all photos carefully before purchasing.

This item has not been laundered or treated. A vintage-specific odour is present. Please note that damage, odour, or changes arising after washing or wearing are not eligible for return or exchange. This item is intended for buyers who understand and appreciate the nature of vintage goods.

※ This item will be compressed for shipping. Some creasing may occur. Please be aware of this before purchasing.
※ Any other items shown on the model are not included.

■ MORE JAPANESE VINTAGE FROM NAMBA SHOUTEN

→ Browse the Japanese Vintage Collection at NAMBA SHOUTEN