DANIEL CIZMEK (12) OWNER, DC4 JAPANESE DENIM STORE

Storytelling is one of the most important aspects of Japanese denim. Every brand has a story, and it’s really all about how each one works with the indigo and the vintage shuttle looms to create unique color, weave and fade characteristics.

Fullcount from Osaka has always been about recreating the perfect American denim from the 1930s. Pure Blue Japan from Okayama is all about a rough, slubby handle and exploiting the purest natural indigo hand dyes. Samurai Jeans is about amazing detailing, like silver threading, a unique visual story on every leather patch, and high-contrast fades that loyal customers obsess about. Oni Denim is about amazing texture and a mysterious aura around its eighty-year-old reclusive master-weaver Oishi-San and his signature ‘Secret Denim’. His weaving is characterized by the way he manipulates the old TOYODA G3 shuttle looms to create the look of handwoven jeans.

Japanese denim has become the Holy Grail of denim. It began with an homage to the great American brands. Nowadays, ironically, there are American brands that strive to match Japanese denim craftsmanship.