Koi Becomes Dragon Tee

鯉の昇龍 (koi no shōryū): "the koi that rises as a dragon."

Up the garden path from the Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, a small waterfall drops over the rocks. It's called Ryūmon-taki, the Dragon Gate Falls, and at its foot sits a stone tipped up as if leaping, the rigyo-seki, or carp stone. It's the Chinese tale of the carp that climbs the falls and becomes a dragon, set in rock for Zen monks who saw their own long training in that climb. Look for it on the way out; the fish has been mid-leap for centuries.

A jade dragon rises through green waves on the back in front of a pale yellow moon, while an orange koi leaps beside a lotus below. The title is 鯉の昇龍 (koi no shōryū), "the koi that rises as a dragon," and the second line, 流れが力となる (nagare ga chikara to naru), means "the current becomes strength." A round badge repeats it on the chest.

Somebody halfway up their own waterfall should own one. The jade and orange glow without getting loud, so it handles a dinner as easily as a gym bag. The carp that haven't made the leap yet are in the koi tees.

• Fabric: 100% combed cotton, 230gsm, pre-shrunk and soft-washed
• Print: direct-to-garment (DTG)
• Color: 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.