Introducing the extraordinary Inlay-Knitted Shirt by Samurai Jeans, meticulously crafted from aged cotton on a loopwheel machine. Unlike conventional methods, this unique approach involves slowly maturing the cotton in a temperature and humidity-controlled room for 30 to 50 days, restoring its original plump and fluffy texture.
Samurai Jeans takes pride in using carefully aged cotton to spin their threads, which are then knitted on a vintage machine in Wakayama, Japan. Due to the high-gauge thread used for the intricate inlay knitting, their old loopwheel machines can produce only about 48cm of fabric per hour, ensuring an exceptional level of craftsmanship. The fabric, despite its thickness, offers a surprising level of stretch, unlike standard hanging knitted fabric.
The back graphic of this shirt carries a captivating history. Inspired by the Meiji Period (1868-1912), a significant era when Japan's most important exports were tea and silk, the design draws inspiration from the "Ranji" tea boxes that were used for shipping. These tea boxes were known for their exceptional graphic art, often regarded as the origin of modern Japanese graphic design, attracting attention from around the world during that time.
The graphic on the shirt is an artful blend of ukiyo-e style and foreign elements, showcasing Samurai Jeans' distinctive and artistic approach.
Samurai jeans have become a legend in the Japanese denim scene. Created in Osaka by Toru Nogami in 1997, Samurai represents the perfection of Japanese tradition, with its iconography of Sengoku-era Samurais and the search for the best and nothing but the best through materials, artisan garment-making techniques and unique detailing.
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