THE BIRTH OF
JAPANESE DENIM
The story of Japanese denim begins in Kojima, Okayama. Long before Okayama was known for jeans, it was valued for its exceptional natural indigo production. Indigo was once used for everyday school uniforms, spreading the technique across the country and embedding it into daily life. The clean rivers and a mild climate found in this region are ideal for farming indigo plants. The low humidity and warm weather are also perfect for dyeing the indigo yarn—supporting consistent color coverage and quick drying times. Generations of indigo dyeing under these conditions set the stage for the craft to develop into an art.
AMERICAN 1960
CULTURE IN JAPAN
In the 1960s, American jeans began to make their way to Japan, and it sparked a strong fascination and appreciation of denim. Their working knowledge and expertise of indigo production and dying were applied to denim, and between the 60s and 70s, Kojima, Okayama, became the epicenter of Japanese denim production.
Home of Japanese Denim
DENIM AND DISCIPLINE
Selvedge denim from Okayama carries a reputation earned through decades of discipline and is globally respected as some of the highest quality, character-rich denim in the world. It’s recognized for its deep, layered indigo tones, fabrics that balance strength with comfort, and fades that develop with clarity and contrast. Above all, it reflects a commitment to craftsmanship over mass production—where quality is prioritized, production is deliberate, and every stage of the process is treated as an art form.
Selvedge
