Iwashi Fishes - T-Shirt

A light, maritime tee for warm days, featuring a minimalist school of iwashi (Japanese sardines) in a crisp, single-ink linocut look. The clean lines and unicolor print make it easy to pair with shorts, denim, or a summer overshirt – a relaxed piece for beach walks, seaside dinners, or everyday wear.

The design

 Our iwashi motif draws on a classic subject from Japan’s coastal life. Sardines have long been a staple of Edo–Tokyo cuisine and everyday markets, and they appear in sayings such as “iwashi no atama mo shinjin kara” – even a sardine’s head becomes worthy through sincerity – a nod to humility and appreciation of simple things. The composition arranges multiple fish in gentle flow to suggest a glimmering school at the water’s edge. Rendered in a linocut-inspired, single-color treatment, the piece relies on bold contours and negative space for contrast, giving the shirt a calm, nautical character that reads clearly from a distance and stays understated up close.

Why you’ll love it

• Authentic Japanese subject – iwashi as an everyday coastal icon with cultural resonance.
• Minimalist linocut style – sharp, single-ink lines that print cleanly and age well.
• Easy summer pairing – works with shorts, chinos, or denim for casual days.
• Versatile occasions – ideal for beach trips, barbecues, harbor walks, or sailing days.
• Thoughtful gift – great for seafood lovers, anglers, and fans of Japanese culture.
• Understated palette – unicolor artwork keeps the look refined and not flashy.
• Reads well at a distance – bold contours ensure good legibility on light tees.