crafted in japan

explore japanese denim

articles & interviews

iron heart

Iron Heart UK's Giles Padmore talks Covid, slub, recalls, and overdyeing, all whilst making jam!

Yu kuniyoshi

Talking with Okinawan denim master, Yu Kuniyoshi of Double Volante.

TCB

A quick chat with the boys at TCB about value, blankets, fades, and upcoming projects.

toru hamamoto

Epic chat with The Strike Gold Boss, Toru Hamamoto.

samurai
cotton project

A look into Samurai's organic, 100% Japanese Cotton Project.

chuji
matsumoto

Talking denim with UES boss, Chuji Matsumoto

yoshiyuki
hayashi

Long chat with ex-Denime and current Resolute boss, Yoshiyuki Hayashi.

A quick chat with full count

A quick catch-up chat with Full Count boss, Mikiharu Tsujita.

A quick chat with samurai

A quick catch-up chat with Samurai boss, Toru Nogami.

catching up with the boss

A quick catch-up chat with Iron Heart boss, Shinichi Haraki.

denim distancing, part 1

Check out this largest denim interview in history as we talk to Japanese jeans makers about the effects of Covid-19. Hear from Pure Blue Japan, Iron Heart, Momotaro, Samurai, Tanuki, Full Count, Resolute, Okayama Denim, Graph Zero, Denimio, Studio D'Artisan, Cottle, and TCB.

denim distancing, part 2

Check out this largest denim interview in history as we talk to Japanese jeans makers about the effects of Covid-19. Hear from Pure Blue Japan, Iron Heart, Momotaro, Samurai, Tanuki, Full Count, Resolute, Okayama Denim, Graph Zero, Denimio, Studio D'Artisan, Cottle, and TCB.

yuji
tamanaha

Studio D'Artisan manager Yuji Tamanaha chats about SDA's 40 years of denim innovation.

kojima weaving mills

Hisao & Katsu Manabe of Japan Blue/Momotaro have just opened their weaving mill to the public. Check it out!

mikiharu tsujita

Killer session with Full Count's Osaka 5 legend, Miki Tsujita.

Hajime Inoue

In Kojima, diving in deep with TCB's founder, Hajime Inoue.

Hisao & Katsu Manabe , Pt.2

Sitting down for a chat with the father-and-son duo behind Momotaro and Japan Blue.

Hisao & Katsu Manabe, Pt. 1

Sitting down for a chat with the father-and-son duo behind Momotaro and Japan Blue.

Kenichi iwaya

Epic session with man behind Pure Blue Japan's slubby goodness: Kenichi Iwaya.

giles padmore

I sit down with Giles Padmore, the man in charge of Iron Heart outside Japan.

toru nogami

A long and laid back conversation with the founder of Samurai Jeans

Shinichi haraki

Casual Q&A with the freeriding Iron Heart boss.

japanese denim brands

momotaro

Made from Zimbabwe cotton, Momotaro's regal denim starts in their very own weaving mill.

samurai

Japanese to the core, Samurai Jeans keeps it cool as the warrior's blade.

iron heart

What makes Iron Heart some of the most badass jeans on the planet? Let's find out.

full count

One of the original Osaka 5, Full Count keeps knockin 'em down for the count. Check it.


the flat head

Based out of Nagano, Rockabilly and Hot Rod inspired Flat Head leave no detail unattended.

pure blue japan

Slubby fabrics and gorgeous natural indigo dyes keep PBJ fans coming back for more.

the strike gold

You ready to strike gold? You may have found your jeans..

oni

Shrouded in mystery, Oni denim is some of the slubbiest stuff available.

studio d'artisan

A stalwart of the Japanese denim world, Studio D'Artisan was the original member of the Osaka 5.

kapital

Denim distressed beyond reason, to call Kapital creative and different would be an understatement.

japan blue jeans

The more affordable brother to Momotaro, Japan Blue Jeans manages to maintain the same high quality while remaining a bit more wallet friendly.

resolute

The name may be lesser known than some of the others, but the pedigree at Resolute runs deep.

kamikaze attack

Rebels with causes, the crew at Kamikaze Attack may shun the rules, but they produce some mighty fine jeans while doing so.

big john

Making the first Japanese jeans in 1965 and the first Japanese denim in 1972, Big John is steeped in history.

kojima genes

Quality and affordability are key concerns for Kojima Genes. And as they say, "Good genes make good jeans!"

TCB

Born from an early love of Americana, cats, and Levis, TCB produces stunning vintage styles, from start to finish in Kojima.

eternal

Combining high-tech processes with traditional fabrics, Eternal are masters of jeans distressing techniques.

milestone basement

New brand with a minimalist aesthetic. Setting milestones with a philosophy of 'less is more'.

stevenson overall co.

As founders Atsu Tagaya and Zip Stevenson say, "nostalgic but new, modern and universal."

tanuki

No one knows exactly who they are, but they make some of the neppiest, hairiest, slubbiest denim available.

UES

A huge array of clothing from this Osaka cult classic, including gorgeous denim and flannels.

Conners Sewing Factory

All sewn by one man, Konaka-san makes some of the most authentic 'vintage' jeans on the planet.

warehouse

One of the original Osaka 5, the Shiotani brothers continue to make some of the best vintage reproduction jeans around.

pallet Life story

A perfect mix of vintage concepts and forward thinking, PLS strives to color you a new story.