Peony Lion Vintage Tee

牡丹に唐獅子 (botan ni karajishi): "the lion among peonies."

Botan ni karajishi, the Chinese lion and the peony, is how Japanese describes a pair that belongs together. The lion is king of the beasts and the peony king of the flowers, and the usual explanation goes further. A lion fears nothing except the bug that lives in its own mane, and dew from a peony kills that bug, so the lion rests among peonies. The pairing has been a favorite of Japanese tattooers for generations.

A gold karajishi with a tight-curled mane pounces across the back, claws out, through red peonies shedding their petals. There's no lettering on it, so it reads as one big shape even at a distance. A small lion with three peonies sits on the chest.

Get one for the other half of your own botan ni karajishi, the best friend or partner you're always seen with, and look through the other guardian beasts for theirs. Washed black gives the gold a sun-faded look from the first wear.

• 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.