Soul Lantern Vintage Tee

霊灯 (reitō): "a light for the spirits."

Every summer at Obon, mid-August in most of Japan, families light a small fire at the gate, mukaebi, so their ancestors can find the way home for a few days. When the visit ends the fires are lit again to send them off. In Kyoto that farewell is the Gozan no Okuribi on August 16, when huge characters burn on the hills around the city, and in river towns paper lanterns are set on the water, tōrō nagashi, to float the spirits downstream.

A cream paper lantern burns at the center of the back, wrapped in orange-red flame, with 霊灯 (reitō), "spirit light," written down its face. The red seal in the top right corner plainly reads 酒 (sake), "rice wine." On the chest a small smoking lantern carries 燈 (tō), "lamp," in its older written form.

The lantern looks like it has been burning for years, thanks to the soft charcoal cast of the washed black. Put it on for Obon week, at a night market or a bon odori in the park. It belongs with the other washed vintage tees.

• Fabric: 100% combed cotton, 230gsm, pre-shrunk and soft-washed
• Print: direct-to-garment (DTG)
• Color: washed black
• Fit: unisex, regular; size up for a boxier, oversized look
• Sizes: S to 3XL
• Size reference: 6 ft 2 in wears L; 5 ft 7 in wears M

Measurements for every size are in the size guide.