[:en]The History of Japanese Denim[:id]The History of Japanese Denim[:zh]The History of Japanese Denim[:ru]История японского денима[:th]The History of Japanese Denim[:ja]The History of Japanese Denim[:ms]The History of Japanese Denim[:ko]The History of Japanese Denim[:]

[:en]For denim enthusiasts all around the world, Japanese denim is widely considered as being the best in the world. A big statement, we know, but it’s not without good reason. Though Japanese denim has a relatively short history, its premium construction and craftsmanship has definitely earned its famed reputation over the years.

To understand the history of Japanese denim, we must first understand how denim is created. Denim is a cotton twill textile in which the weft (the transverse thread) passes under 2 or more warp threads (the longitudinal threads). Meanwhile, indigo denim, the traditionally dark blue denim that we associate jeans with, dyes only the warp or weft threads, just one of them.

What sets Japanese premium denim apart from most other denim made today is the dye that is used in the production process. While most denim made today uses synthetic dye which costs less and contains less impurities, Japanese premiums are made using natural dye which gives them deep, rich colours that weathers over time. Years of training, tradition, craftsmanship and skills are put into producing a top notch, premium quality Japanese denim.

Another desirable trait of most classic denim is the selvage fabric that it is made of. Selvage comes from the word “self-edge”, referring to the woven edges of the fabric. Japanese selvage is woven on old Toyoda looms that results in tighter and denser weaves with uneven textures. A combination of all these traits give denim enthusiasts an opportunity to own a pair of Japanese denim with its own distinctive composition as the jeans are worn over time.

The history of American denim started earlier than Japan’s, not so much being a fashion statement that it was workwear for blue collared workers. As the denim trend caught on fire and became a fashion statement, it wasn’t long before the whole world followed suit. Japan’s biggest breakthrough in the fashion of selvage denim was in in the form of the KD-8 denim, produced by BIG JOHN. In 1973, all these pieces came together to form Japan’s first pair of jeans made solely and fully by their fellow countrymen. Let’s just say that this is the “grand-daddy” of all the Japanese denim you’re wearing today.

Many Japanese denim labels emerged after that, gaining traction not just in Japan but all over the world till today. One of the most distinctive label of the lot is possibly Momotaro Jeans. Priced up to a hefty $2000, a pair of PREMIUM quality Momotaro jeans (made from handwoven denim) surely holds up to its reputation as one of the best in the world. Hand-woven on a loom that was used to make kimonos back in the day, the denim itself takes up to 8 hours for only 3 feet of material. It is also dyed with natural indigo from the indigofera tinctoria plant, which goes against what most denim enthusiasts are looking for in a pair of jeans because it meant that the dye would penetrate the core of the cotton, causing it NOT to fade over time. After it is completed, the jeans will be washed in Seto Sea water. Each pair can take up to a year to complete.

With such a rich history, Japanese denim is definitely one that should go through your thought process when you’re considering to get a new pair of jeans. You may find it hard to choose anything else once you’ve tried the best of what Japanese premium denim has to offer.[:id]For denim enthusiasts all around the world, Japanese denim is widely considered as being the best in the world. A big statement, we know, but it’s not without good reason. Though Japanese denim has a relatively short history, its premium construction and craftsmanship has definitely earned its famed reputation over the years.

To understand the history of Japanese denim, we must first understand how denim is created. Denim is a cotton twill textile in which the weft (the transverse thread) passes under 2 or more warp threads (the longitudinal threads). Meanwhile, indigo denim, the traditionally dark blue denim that we associate jeans with, dyes only the warp or weft threads, just one of them.

What sets Japanese premium denim apart from most other denim made today is the dye that is used in the production process. While most denim made today uses synthetic dye which costs less and contains less impurities, Japanese premiums are made using natural dye which gives them deep, rich colours that weathers over time. Years of training, tradition, craftsmanship and skills are put into producing a top notch, premium quality Japanese denim.

Another desirable trait of most classic denim is the selvage fabric that it is made of. Selvage comes from the word “self-edge”, referring to the woven edges of the fabric. Japanese selvage is woven on old Toyoda looms that results in tighter and denser weaves with uneven textures. A combination of all these traits give denim enthusiasts an opportunity to own a pair of Japanese denim with its own distinctive composition as the jeans are worn over time.

The history of American denim started earlier than Japan’s, not so much being a fashion statement that it was workwear for blue collared workers. As the denim trend caught on fire and became a fashion statement, it wasn’t long before the whole world followed suit. Japan’s biggest breakthrough in the fashion of selvage denim was in in the form of the KD-8 denim, produced by BIG JOHN. In 1973, all these pieces came together to form Japan’s first pair of jeans made solely and fully by their fellow countrymen. Let’s just say that this is the “grand-daddy” of all the Japanese denim you’re wearing today.

Many Japanese denim labels emerged after that, gaining traction not just in Japan but all over the world till today. One of the most distinctive label of the lot is possibly Momotaro Jeans. Priced up to a hefty $2000, a pair of PREMIUM quality Momotaro jeans (made from handwoven denim) surely holds up to its reputation as one of the best in the world. Hand-woven on a loom that was used to make kimonos back in the day, the denim itself takes up to 8 hours for only 3 feet of material. It is also dyed with natural indigo from the indigofera tinctoria plant, which goes against what most denim enthusiasts are looking for in a pair of jeans because it meant that the dye would penetrate the core of the cotton, causing it NOT to fade over time. After it is completed, the jeans will be washed in Seto Sea water. Each pair can take up to a year to complete.

With such a rich history, Japanese denim is definitely one that should go through your thought process when you’re considering to get a new pair of jeans. You may find it hard to choose anything else once you’ve tried the best of what Japanese premium denim has to offer.
[:zh]For denim enthusiasts all around the world, Japanese denim is widely considered as being the best in the world. A big statement, we know, but it’s not without good reason. Though Japanese denim has a relatively short history, its premium construction and craftsmanship has definitely earned its famed reputation over the years.

To understand the history of Japanese denim, we must first understand how denim is created. Denim is a cotton twill textile in which the weft (the transverse thread) passes under 2 or more warp threads (the longitudinal threads). Meanwhile, indigo denim, the traditionally dark blue denim that we associate jeans with, dyes only the warp or weft threads, just one of them.

What sets Japanese premium denim apart from most other denim made today is the dye that is used in the production process. While most denim made today uses synthetic dye which costs less and contains less impurities, Japanese premiums are made using natural dye which gives them deep, rich colours that weathers over time. Years of training, tradition, craftsmanship and skills are put into producing a top notch, premium quality Japanese denim.

Another desirable trait of most classic denim is the selvage fabric that it is made of. Selvage comes from the word “self-edge”, referring to the woven edges of the fabric. Japanese selvage is woven on old Toyoda looms that results in tighter and denser weaves with uneven textures. A combination of all these traits give denim enthusiasts an opportunity to own a pair of Japanese denim with its own distinctive composition as the jeans are worn over time.

The history of American denim started earlier than Japan’s, not so much being a fashion statement that it was workwear for blue collared workers. As the denim trend caught on fire and became a fashion statement, it wasn’t long before the whole world followed suit. Japan’s biggest breakthrough in the fashion of selvage denim was in in the form of the KD-8 denim, produced by BIG JOHN. In 1973, all these pieces came together to form Japan’s first pair of jeans made solely and fully by their fellow countrymen. Let’s just say that this is the “grand-daddy” of all the Japanese denim you’re wearing today.

Many Japanese denim labels emerged after that, gaining traction not just in Japan but all over the world till today. One of the most distinctive label of the lot is possibly Momotaro Jeans. Priced up to a hefty $2000, a pair of PREMIUM quality Momotaro jeans (made from handwoven denim) surely holds up to its reputation as one of the best in the world. Hand-woven on a loom that was used to make kimonos back in the day, the denim itself takes up to 8 hours for only 3 feet of material. It is also dyed with natural indigo from the indigofera tinctoria plant, which goes against what most denim enthusiasts are looking for in a pair of jeans because it meant that the dye would penetrate the core of the cotton, causing it NOT to fade over time. After it is completed, the jeans will be washed in Seto Sea water. Each pair can take up to a year to complete.

With such a rich history, Japanese denim is definitely one that should go through your thought process when you’re considering to get a new pair of jeans. You may find it hard to choose anything else once you’ve tried the best of what Japanese premium denim has to offer.
[:de][:es][:fr][:it][:pt][:ru]Среди поклонников джинсовой одежды по всему миру, японский деним широко известен и считается лучшим в мире. Это громкое заявление, мы знаем, но на то есть веская причина. Несмотря на то, что японский деним имеет относительно короткую историю, его исключительная конструкция и тонкая, искусная работа мастеров определённо заработали свою знаменитую репутацию на протяжении многих лет.

Чтобы узнать историю японского денима, мы должны, в первую очередь, понять как изготавливается деним. Деним – это хлопковая ткань саржевого плетения, в которой нить утка (поперечная нить) проходит под двумя или более нитями основы (продольные нити). Между тем, цвет индиго (традиционный темно-синий цвет денима, с которым мы ассоциируем джинсы), получается путём окрашивания только одной нити, либо нити основы, либо нити утка.

Что выделяет первосортный японский деним среди всей остальной джинсовой ткани, производимой на сей день, так это краска, используемая в производстве. В то время, как большинство производителей денима сегодня используют синтетическую краску, которая стоит дешевле и содержит меньше примесей, японские джинсы высшего качества произведены с применением натуральных красителей, которые придают им такие глубокие, сочные цвета, держащиеся в течение долгого времени. Годы тренировок, традиции, тонкой работы, мастерства и опыта вложены в создание наиболее высококачественного японского денима.

Другая приятная особенность большинства классических джинсов – ткань кромки, из которой она сделана. Английское слово Selvage (рус. “кромка”) произошло от слов “self-edge” (свой край), делая отсылку к особому переплетению края ткани. Японская кромка соткана на старых ткацких станках Тойода, что проявляется в более крепком и плотном переплетении с шероховатой текстурой. Сочетание всех этих свойств даёт ценителям денима возможность завладеть японскими джинсами с их характерной долговечной структурой.

История американских джинсов началась раньше, чем японских, без заявки на стиль и моду, так как они были повседневной одеждой для рабочих. После того, как джинсовый тренд вошёл в моду и стал “заявкой стиля”, прошло совсем немного времени до того как весь мир последовал за Америкой. Огромный переворот в моде Японии был сделан селвидж денимом*, а именно моделью “KD-8”, выпущенной BIG JOHNом. В 1973м году, все кусочки сложились воедино, чтобы стать первыми джинсами в Японии, сделанными исключительно и полностью японцами. Давайте просто назовем их “прадедушкой” всех японских джинсов, производимых в наши дни.
*Селвидж деним – это особая джинсовая ткань, которая в отличие от обычной обладает более узкой шириной, имеет цветную нить основы, вплетенную в неокрашенную кайму. Селвидж появился по причине того, что удобнее было кроить джинсы на узкой полосе ткани так, что внешний шов находился вдоль кромки полосы ткани.

После этого появилось множество японских джинсовых марок, которые приобрели притягательную силу не только в Японии, но и во всём мире. Одной из самых особенных марок, возможно стали Momotaro Jeans. Джинсы Momotaro премиум-качества с заоблачной ценой аж в 2000$ (сделанные из сотканного вручную денима), несомненно имеют репутацию одних из лучших джинсов в мире. Сотканный вручную на станке, который использовали ранее для производства кимоно, деним требует около 8ми часов работы на 3 фута ткани (91,4 см). Он также окрашен натуральным красителем “индиго”, произведённым из растения indigofera tinctoria, что противоречит тому, что большинство поклонников джинсовой одежды хотят видеть в джинсах, ведь это значит, что краска проникнет внутрь хлопка, заставляя его НЕ выцветать в течение долгого времени. По завершении окрашивания, джинсы будут прополосканы в водах Внутреннего Японского моря. На изготовление одной пары таких джинсов может уйти целый год.

С такой богатой историей, японский деним определённо стоит Вашего рассмотрения, если Вы решаете обзавестись новыми джинсами. Вам может стать трудно выбрать что-либо другое, если однажды Вы уже попробовали лучшее из того, что может предложить высококачественный японский деним.[:th]For denim enthusiasts all around the world, Japanese denim is widely considered as being the best in the world. A big statement, we know, but it’s not without good reason. Though Japanese denim has a relatively short history, its premium construction and craftsmanship has definitely earned its famed reputation over the years.

To understand the history of Japanese denim, we must first understand how denim is created. Denim is a cotton twill textile in which the weft (the transverse thread) passes under 2 or more warp threads (the longitudinal threads). Meanwhile, indigo denim, the traditionally dark blue denim that we associate jeans with, dyes only the warp or weft threads, just one of them.

What sets Japanese premium denim apart from most other denim made today is the dye that is used in the production process. While most denim made today uses synthetic dye which costs less and contains less impurities, Japanese premiums are made using natural dye which gives them deep, rich colours that weathers over time. Years of training, tradition, craftsmanship and skills are put into producing a top notch, premium quality Japanese denim.

Another desirable trait of most classic denim is the selvage fabric that it is made of. Selvage comes from the word “self-edge”, referring to the woven edges of the fabric. Japanese selvage is woven on old Toyoda looms that results in tighter and denser weaves with uneven textures. A combination of all these traits give denim enthusiasts an opportunity to own a pair of Japanese denim with its own distinctive composition as the jeans are worn over time.

The history of American denim started earlier than Japan’s, not so much being a fashion statement that it was workwear for blue collared workers. As the denim trend caught on fire and became a fashion statement, it wasn’t long before the whole world followed suit. Japan’s biggest breakthrough in the fashion of selvage denim was in in the form of the KD-8 denim, produced by BIG JOHN. In 1973, all these pieces came together to form Japan’s first pair of jeans made solely and fully by their fellow countrymen. Let’s just say that this is the “grand-daddy” of all the Japanese denim you’re wearing today.

Many Japanese denim labels emerged after that, gaining traction not just in Japan but all over the world till today. One of the most distinctive label of the lot is possibly Momotaro Jeans. Priced up to a hefty $2000, a pair of PREMIUM quality Momotaro jeans (made from handwoven denim) surely holds up to its reputation as one of the best in the world. Hand-woven on a loom that was used to make kimonos back in the day, the denim itself takes up to 8 hours for only 3 feet of material. It is also dyed with natural indigo from the indigofera tinctoria plant, which goes against what most denim enthusiasts are looking for in a pair of jeans because it meant that the dye would penetrate the core of the cotton, causing it NOT to fade over time. After it is completed, the jeans will be washed in Seto Sea water. Each pair can take up to a year to complete.

With such a rich history, Japanese denim is definitely one that should go through your thought process when you’re considering to get a new pair of jeans. You may find it hard to choose anything else once you’ve tried the best of what Japanese premium denim has to offer.
[:ja]デニム愛好家の間では日本製ジーンズは世界でもナンバー１と言われていますね。その歴史は短いといえどその構造と職人による高い技術と品質が年月を経てここまで評判を上げていったのだと思います。

日本のデニムを理解するにはまずはデニムがどうやって作られているかを知らないとわかりません。デニムは綿で作られた縦糸と横糸を綾織りした厚手の生地でどちらかの糸はインディゴという紺色の染料で染められています。

海外と日本のデニムの大きな違いと言えばやはりその染料です。今、出回っているほとんどのデニムの染料は合成で少し不純物も含んでいますが日本製のプレミアムジーンズでは天然の染料を使い、深くて豊かな色を出しています。さらに長年の経験を積んだ職人さんの手により最高の品質を実現させているのです。

もう一つの特徴はジーンズの耳の生地、セルベッジと呼ばれる部分で、旧豊田という機織り機で固く高密度に結われていて均一性の無い独特な形状で、これらの全ての組み合わせがジーンズ愛好家にとって長年愛用されているという結果を出して今も継続して出しているのです。

アメリカ製のジーンズはもちろん日本よりも長い歴史を持っていますね。しかし当時はファッションとしては履かれていなくブルーカラーで働く人の作業着として着用されていましたが、トレンドとして人気に火がつくのはスーツが世界的に流行る少し前でした。日本での劇的なジーンズ業界での変化は1973年に作られたKD-8と呼ばれるあのBIG JOHNから発売された初の日本製ジーンズです。これこそが今私達の履いている日本製ジーンズのおじいちゃん的存在なのです。

その後に多くの日本のジーンズブランドが出てきますがその中でも一番有名なのはおそらくMomotaro Jeansでしょう。最高クラスのジーンズは約20万円ほどしますが全て手織り(昔はそれで着物を織っていたそうです)で天然のインディゴを使って綿の芯まで染め上げて生産されていますし90センチほどを織るのになんと8時間もかかるそうです。ですがやっぱり愛好家にはそういった色落ちのしにくいように施されていてるのはたまらないみたいです。そしてその工程が終わったあとに瀬戸内海の海水で洗い一つのジーンズを作るのに約1年かかるらしいです。すごいですね。

以上が日本製ジーンズの歴史です。もし新しくジーンズを買おうとしているのであれば間違いなくおすすめです。ただどれも良い品ばかりなのでどれにするか迷ってしまいますね！[:ms]For denim enthusiasts all around the world, Japanese denim is widely considered as being the best in the world. A big statement, we know, but it’s not without good reason. Though Japanese denim has a relatively short history, its premium construction and craftsmanship has definitely earned its famed reputation over the years.

To understand the history of Japanese denim, we must first understand how denim is created. Denim is a cotton twill textile in which the weft (the transverse thread) passes under 2 or more warp threads (the longitudinal threads). Meanwhile, indigo denim, the traditionally dark blue denim that we associate jeans with, dyes only the warp or weft threads, just one of them.

What sets Japanese premium denim apart from most other denim made today is the dye that is used in the production process. While most denim made today uses synthetic dye which costs less and contains less impurities, Japanese premiums are made using natural dye which gives them deep, rich colours that weathers over time. Years of training, tradition, craftsmanship and skills are put into producing a top notch, premium quality Japanese denim.

Another desirable trait of most classic denim is the selvage fabric that it is made of. Selvage comes from the word “self-edge”, referring to the woven edges of the fabric. Japanese selvage is woven on old Toyoda looms that results in tighter and denser weaves with uneven textures. A combination of all these traits give denim enthusiasts an opportunity to own a pair of Japanese denim with its own distinctive composition as the jeans are worn over time.

The history of American denim started earlier than Japan’s, not so much being a fashion statement that it was workwear for blue collared workers. As the denim trend caught on fire and became a fashion statement, it wasn’t long before the whole world followed suit. Japan’s biggest breakthrough in the fashion of selvage denim was in in the form of the KD-8 denim, produced by BIG JOHN. In 1973, all these pieces came together to form Japan’s first pair of jeans made solely and fully by their fellow countrymen. Let’s just say that this is the “grand-daddy” of all the Japanese denim you’re wearing today.

Many Japanese denim labels emerged after that, gaining traction not just in Japan but all over the world till today. One of the most distinctive label of the lot is possibly Momotaro Jeans. Priced up to a hefty $2000, a pair of PREMIUM quality Momotaro jeans (made from handwoven denim) surely holds up to its reputation as one of the best in the world. Hand-woven on a loom that was used to make kimonos back in the day, the denim itself takes up to 8 hours for only 3 feet of material. It is also dyed with natural indigo from the indigofera tinctoria plant, which goes against what most denim enthusiasts are looking for in a pair of jeans because it meant that the dye would penetrate the core of the cotton, causing it NOT to fade over time. After it is completed, the jeans will be washed in Seto Sea water. Each pair can take up to a year to complete.

With such a rich history, Japanese denim is definitely one that should go through your thought process when you’re considering to get a new pair of jeans. You may find it hard to choose anything else once you’ve tried the best of what Japanese premium denim has to offer.
[:ko]For denim enthusiasts all around the world, Japanese denim is widely considered as being the best in the world. A big statement, we know, but it’s not without good reason. Though Japanese denim has a relatively short history, its premium construction and craftsmanship has definitely earned its famed reputation over the years.

To understand the history of Japanese denim, we must first understand how denim is created. Denim is a cotton twill textile in which the weft (the transverse thread) passes under 2 or more warp threads (the longitudinal threads). Meanwhile, indigo denim, the traditionally dark blue denim that we associate jeans with, dyes only the warp or weft threads, just one of them.

What sets Japanese premium denim apart from most other denim made today is the dye that is used in the production process. While most denim made today uses synthetic dye which costs less and contains less impurities, Japanese premiums are made using natural dye which gives them deep, rich colours that weathers over time. Years of training, tradition, craftsmanship and skills are put into producing a top notch, premium quality Japanese denim.

Another desirable trait of most classic denim is the selvage fabric that it is made of. Selvage comes from the word “self-edge”, referring to the woven edges of the fabric. Japanese selvage is woven on old Toyoda looms that results in tighter and denser weaves with uneven textures. A combination of all these traits give denim enthusiasts an opportunity to own a pair of Japanese denim with its own distinctive composition as the jeans are worn over time.

The history of American denim started earlier than Japan’s, not so much being a fashion statement that it was workwear for blue collared workers. As the denim trend caught on fire and became a fashion statement, it wasn’t long before the whole world followed suit. Japan’s biggest breakthrough in the fashion of selvage denim was in in the form of the KD-8 denim, produced by BIG JOHN. In 1973, all these pieces came together to form Japan’s first pair of jeans made solely and fully by their fellow countrymen. Let’s just say that this is the “grand-daddy” of all the Japanese denim you’re wearing today.

Many Japanese denim labels emerged after that, gaining traction not just in Japan but all over the world till today. One of the most distinctive label of the lot is possibly Momotaro Jeans. Priced up to a hefty $2000, a pair of PREMIUM quality Momotaro jeans (made from handwoven denim) surely holds up to its reputation as one of the best in the world. Hand-woven on a loom that was used to make kimonos back in the day, the denim itself takes up to 8 hours for only 3 feet of material. It is also dyed with natural indigo from the indigofera tinctoria plant, which goes against what most denim enthusiasts are looking for in a pair of jeans because it meant that the dye would penetrate the core of the cotton, causing it NOT to fade over time. After it is completed, the jeans will be washed in Seto Sea water. Each pair can take up to a year to complete.

With such a rich history, Japanese denim is definitely one that should go through your thought process when you’re considering to get a new pair of jeans. You may find it hard to choose anything else once you’ve tried the best of what Japanese premium denim has to offer.
[:]