Katsu, can I ask what your favorite Momotaro jeans model or fabric is? K: Hmmm…there’s a lot of them, but lately I’m really liking this slim tapered I’m wearing now. Nice fades. K: Thanks…Momotaro tapered. What’s the best part about doing what you do? The funnest part of your day. K: Mmm, for me it’s […]
Momotaro’s Hisao and Katsu Manabe, Part 2 Read More »
It’s normally a 3 hour drive down to Kojima from Osaka, but I’ve somehow managed to do it in record time and now find myself poised outside Japan Blue’s headquarters a bit too early. No matter though as I head inside and try to find the man I’m looking for: Katsu Manabe, the son of
Momotaro’s Hisao and Katsu Manabe, Part 1 Read More »
Momotaro was founded in Kojima, Okayama in 2006 and keeps true to their motto of “Made by hand without compromise” by using only hand-cropped, high-gloss Zimbabwean cotton, in-house weaving, and meticulous attention to detail. Named after a centuries-old Japanese folk tale, Momotaro translates as “Peach Boy” and, in the original version, tells a story of
I have known Hiroki Kishimoto and Keita Hinamoto for a long time, so I was really excited when I heard they had teamed up to form a new brand: omotodenim. With many years of experience and connections behind them from their time at Japan Blue and Momotaro, respectively, I knew this was going to be
Here we go with the continuation of our interviews on Japanese Denim and Covid-19. If you’ve arrived here directly and have missed Part 1, it’s here. Enjoy! 3. I think we can all agree that the whole coronavirus situation is pretty awful, but are there any potential positives that you’ve found in all of this?
Denim Distancing: Japanese Denim and Covid-19, Pt.2 Read More »
As the coronavirus (or, properly, Covid-19) continues its spread across the globe, people are finding themselves confronting anxiety and inconvenience on one end of the scale, through to serious financial trouble and full lockdowns, right down to serious illness, and even death on the other end. It is against this unprecedented and somewhat surreal backdrop
Denim Distancing: Japanese Denim and Covid-19, Pt.1 Read More »
For many, a denim pilgrimage to Japan is the result of years of yearning, dreaming, saving, and no small measure of spouse-convincing. A special chance to explore the birthplace of many of your favorite denim brands, perhaps being lucky enough to visit the brand’s main shop or even the company headquarters. The truly dedicated will
Weaving History: Japan Blue Brings it on Home. Read More »
Being based in Osaka, I’m often asked why I haven’t yet interviewed any of the legendary Osaka 5. A fair question, one I usually half-heartedly answer along the lines of, “Well, they’ll always be close by so I figure I’ll just start off with the ones further afield…I can interview the Osaka fellahs any time.”
Good Times with Full Count’s Miki Tsujita Read More »
I’ve just finished weaving my way through the lively, narrow streets of Tokyo’s Harajuku district, roller suitcase in one hand, umbrella in the other, tired and soaking wet in the warm summer rain. And yet I couldn’t be happier. After a 3-hour trip north from Osaka I’m on the doorstep, literally, of one of the
Slub Talk: An Afternoon with Pure Blue Japan’s Kenichi Iwaya Read More »
Along with Momotaro, Rampuya, and Collect Mills, Japan Blue Jeans is owned by the Japan Blue group. To see Japan Blue as just a ‘cheap Momotaro’ however would be missing the point entirely – Japan Blue Jeans is intended for the market outside of Japan while Momotaro is geared towards the Japanese market. Of course