Popular Japanese cosplayer models the new hoodie with kimono sleeves in three different colours.

From bushido pants to samurai sword umbrella sheaths, we’ve seen a lot of hybrid fashion ideas come out of Japan in recent years. Now, as the weather begins to cool, it’s time for a new range of garments to make their appearance, and this year everyone is scrambling to get their hands on the Hanten Parka.

The hanten is a traditional short winter coat first worn by commoners during the Edo Period (1603-1868). These jackets are usually padded with a thick layer of cotton, giving them a distinct boxy shape, and are worn at home or outdoors for warmth during the cold winter months.

▼ The traditional hanten coat has now been given an overhaul by Japanese company Mocolle.

Mocolle have been producing hybrid outfits like kimono roomwear and ninja swimwear, so they know what they’re doing when it comes to creating modern garments with a nod to traditional style. Like many of their creative releases, the Hanten Parka was developed from an illustration on Twitter that went viral online, with people asking for it to be made in real-life.

▼ The tweet that started it all.

The new parka replicates the most popular illustrated design, which keeps the hanten’s traditional kimono-style sleeves while adding a hoodie for a unique twist.

It also does away with the fastener that’s commonly used on traditional hanten, replacing it with an open-front style that makes it easy to wear.

According to Mocolle, the Hanten Parka can be worn by both men and women, and while it’s perfect for keeping warm indoors, the hoodie style makes it easy to wear outside as well.

The garment is soon to be put into mass production, thanks to a hugely successful crowdfunding campaign, which has already smashed its 1 million-yen (US$9,047) target goal by raising a whopping 2.62 million yen, with 33 days left in the project.

There are still reward tiers available for patrons, ranging from 6,400 yen (US$57.90) for a single parka, up to 19,000 yen for all three colours. Sets come with a postcard, which may or may not feature the Hanten Parka model, popular cosplayer Tomouta Kawamura.

Given the huge demand for the new design, we can expect to see the Hanten Parka released commercially at Village Vanguard stores in the near future, where it will sit nicely alongside some of Mocolle’s other popular hybrid outfits.

Source: Campfire/Mocolle via Japaaan
Images: Campfire/Mocolle