Ichiro Yamaguchi, Unconventional as Ever: From the Legendary COMME des GARÇONS T-shirt to Toyoharu Masujima’s Oil Paintings and the Coveted Sukajan – How to Dive Into His World Right Now

Ichiro Yamaguchi, the frontman of Sakanaction. His “collaboration chaos” – which goes far beyond just the music scene – has now hit its peak. Did you know? That legendary COMME des GARÇONS 1986 T-shirt, rumoured to have been secretly worn by Billie Eilish herself, is getting an unexpected modern-day reissue. And apparently, Yamaguchi has already got his hands on the “CDG XL” size. Talk about having an eye for the real deal.

COMME des GARÇONS from 1986 resurrected in Reiwa? The one “Yamaichi” picked

The talk of the town is that “COMME des GARÇONS 1986 t-shirt”. Faithfully reproducing the original archive piece, this tee is an ultra-rare item officially distributed as “new & authentic” to only a handful of select shops. And Ichiro Yamaguchi snapped it up. On his radio show, he raved: “The whole vibe of the ’80s is sealed inside the packaging. A shirt like this won’t ever come out again.” Known as the “Billie Eilish worn model” that Billie herself loves, the “CDG XL” in particular – with its oversized silhouette – sold out in an instant. Rumour has it that it’s already fetching a premium on auction sites.

Encounter with Italy-based maverick Toyoharu Masujima – the mayhem of oil paintings and teddy bears

But Yamaguchi’s rabbit hole isn’t just about fashion. Recently surfacing is his collaboration with Italy-based painter Toyoharu Masujima. Masujima is known as a wild card, with his intense world of blended oil and acrylic painting and his signature motif of eerie yet adorable “green teddy bears”. As it turns out, Ichiro Yamaguchi dropped hints on his own social media that he’s visited Masujima’s studio and now displays an “original painting by Toyoharu Masujima” in his home.

• The inside scoop on Masujima × Yamaguchi: For those in the know, Yamaguchi has been an avid collector of Masujima’s work for years. He describes one piece – where a green teddy bear seems to melt into the canvas – as “the shape of my soul.”
• Where’s the original painting headed? Some whispers suggest that apparel featuring this original artwork might leak as tour merch for Sakanaction’s next run. If true, it’ll sell out in a heartbeat.

The heavy texture of oil painting, the light-hearted toxicity of acrylic – Masujima’s world, dancing in that space, syncs perfectly with the melodies Yamaguchi weaves. This is truly “music you can see”.

Details finally emerge on the rumoured “Ainee Jyu Baby” collaboration sukajan

And finally, the big one – what fans have been waiting for. Yes, the item making waves under the spellbindingly long tag: “Ichiro Yamaguchi collaboration sukajan – Ainee Jyu Baby – Yamaichi – Sakanaction”. Born from a joint project with the legendary unit “Ainee Jyu Baby”, this sukajan is finally ready for its unveiling.

The design: a huge green teddy bear by Toyoharu Masujima on the back! On the front, a playful kanji logo with that COMME des GARÇONS-like flair. Left sleeve embroidery: “1986”. Right sleeve patch: “CDG XL” – oh my, it’s packed with elements. This truly deserves to be called “the total art of Japanese subculture through the lens of Ichiro Yamaguchi”.

Sales are expected to be via lottery draw, at a certain location in Shibuya and a few online stores. The price? Let’s not ask. But the moment you think “I want it”, you’re already a resident of Yamaguchi’s rabbit hole. So, are you ready?