The Kit Archive · Home kit
The deep-blue feather home of South Africa 2010, the shirt of Japan's round-of-16 run.
Retro reissue product image via New York Soccer · source
At a glance
Officially confirmed
The story
For a generation this is the shirt of a breakthrough. In South Africa 2010, Takeshi Okada's Japan surprised everyone: they beat Cameroon, then produced the famous night against Denmark, Honda and Endo bending in free kicks in a 3-1 win to reach the knockouts. They went out to Paraguay on penalties in the round of 16, Komano's kick off the bar, but the deep-blue feather shirt became iconic. Sixteen years on, originals are prized and getting scarce.
The design
Sourced reportingTheme: Feather
The 2010 home is deep blue with a tonal feather pattern worked into the body, a red block beneath the blue collar, grey panels up the sides, white adidas three stripes on the shoulders, and the JFA crest. Understated up close, unmistakable from the stands.
The buying companion
NBN editorial guidanceThe big decision on a kit this old is original versus reissue. Originals are scarce and command a premium; faithful retro reissues are cheap and widely sold, but they are remakes. Decide that first, then check condition and authenticity.
Original or reissue?
An original 2010 adidas shirt (replica or the TechFit player version) is the collector's piece, scarce and priced accordingly. Faithful retro reissues (New York Soccer, NipponKits and others) look the part for a fraction of the price but are modern remakes, not the original. Decide which you actually want.
Short or long sleeve?
Short sleeve is what you will mostly find, in both originals and reissues.
Which patches?
A World Cup shirt should carry the official 2010 badge; a friendly wears none. Match the patch to the competition the shirt claims.
Which nameset?
Use the adidas 2010 World Cup font for a South Africa shirt and the standard nameset otherwise.
What size?
For US-market stock, follow the US size chart. Japanese domestic stock is labeled and measured differently, so check the Japanese size chart or garment measurements, where you may need a larger Japanese-labeled size than your usual US size. Reissue sizing varies by maker, so measure.
Where to buy?
Originals live on resale: authenticity-checked marketplaces and eBay, or a proxy for Japanese stock. Reissues are sold new by retro specialists.
The versions
Officially confirmedReplica
The everyday fan version. Original stock is resale-only; reissues are sold new.
Player issue
The TechFit player version: very slim, the collector's original, at a premium.
Which one is right for you is in the buying companion above. This table is just what each version is.
Patches & nameset
Officially confirmedPatches
multipleMatch the patch to the competition the shirt claims.
Nameset
multipleMatch the nameset to the shirt's competition.
Before you buy
NBN editorial guidanceWhat a fair purchase looks like
Know which market you are in. A clean original commands a real premium and condition drives price; a reissue should cost a small fraction of that. Treat a 'cheap original' as a reissue or a condition problem until proven otherwise.
Sizing
US market
Buying from US-market original stock: follow the US size chart. The TechFit player version runs very slim; the replica is a fuller fit. Reissue sizing varies by maker, so measure.
Japanese domestic stock
Buying Japanese domestic stock: Japanese labels and measurements differ from US sizing, and a Japanese 3XL is not a US 3XL. Compare the garment measurements or the official Japanese size chart, and expect to need a larger Japanese-labeled size than your usual US size.
Spotting a fake
First establish original versus reissue: match the wash tag, product code and construction against verified images of the original 2010 shirt, and be wary of reissues sold as originals. On an original this age, condition and tag era matter as much as the print. Be cautious if a seller will not share detailed tag and code photos.
The market read
NBN editorial guidanceRetail status
Sold out
Availability
Scarce
Counterfeit risk
High
Price position
Premium
Demand
High
Confidence
Medium
As of the review date, a beloved vintage kit: originals are long out of production, scarce and priced at a premium, with condition driving value, while faithful reissues sell new for a fraction. High demand and heavy reissue and counterfeit activity make provenance the whole game here. This is a time-sensitive read; check current resale pricing in the Gear Guide.
NBN editorial assessment, not live market data. Reviewed Aug 2, 2026; next review Nov 2, 2026. Current retailer stock and pricing live in the Buying Guide.
Where it was worn
Officially confirmedWorn at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, including the 3-1 win over Denmark, before a round-of-16 exit to Paraguay on penalties.
Where to buy
Shopping for this era?
See NBN's complete guide to sizing, authentication, retailers, and Japan-only marketplaces.
Open the Buying Guide →Keep exploring
Sources
Image credits
Nippon Blue Nation is an independent fan project and is not affiliated with adidas, ASICS, the JFA, or FIFA. Product images are used editorially to identify and discuss the kit, with each image's source credited above. Buying guidance is editorial and vendor-neutral; some outbound links may be affiliate links, noted where they appear.
