Collection: ISHIKAWADAI DENIM

Revival of the 1950s Ishikawadai Denim

After gaining immense popularity through a Japanese crowdfunding platform, the legendary Ishikawadai denim—a faithful revival of Japanese denim from 50 years ago—is now available as a regular product.

1. Crafted from yarn with an obsession for quality, spun on the "phantom machine" that surpasses selvage denim.
2. Aiming to recapture the essence of Big John jeans.
3. Meticulously spun, slow and steady, to weave a vintage aesthetic with natural slub texture.

Spun on One of Japan’s Few Remaining Vintage Looms

The Legendary 'ISHIKAWADAI'

An industrial masterpiece, resembling the strength and presence of a steam locomotive.

To faithfully recreate the rugged charm of denim from days past, we crafted our original yarn from scratch. The key discovery was the Ishikawadai loom, a massive machine built in 1953, now carefully maintained by Taisho Spinning. This historical equipment plays a vital role in reviving a bygone era of denim making.

The Finest Raw Material: Texas Cotton

Selected for its Perfect Balance: U.S. Texas Cotton

Drawing from our 1965 archive of materials used by Canton Mills in the U.S., we analyzed the distinctive characteristics of their yarn—its thickness, slub texture, and fiber length. After thorough research, we chose U.S. Texas cotton for its ideal fiber length and strength, perfectly suited to replicate the iconic denim yarn of the time.

By preserving the cotton’s natural texture, including bits of leaves and husks, we bring back the raw and rustic look that made denim from this era so iconic.

The Ultimate Yarn Produced on a Legendary Loom

With the expertise of Taisho Spinning’s Cotton Meister, Mr. Morita, we crafted this yarn through careful selection of materials and meticulous spinning techniques.

Slow and Strong Weaving for Superior Texture and Durability

Weaving slowly on vintage looms, this process takes more than twice the time of standard denim production. By weaving slowly and with strong force, we create a robust fabric that maintains its rich texture and feel.

Rope-Dyed in the Historic Showa Factory of Kojima

Established in 1905, Showa is a legendary dyeing and finishing factory in Kojima. They perform everything from indigo dyeing to starching and final finishing. After the rope-dyeing process, we weave the denim on a vintage shuttle loom—the TOYODA GL-3—keeping the spirit of craftsmanship alive.

• The vintage TOYODA GL-3 shuttle loom continues to create a weave that maximizes the potential of the yarn, just as it did decades ago.

A Masterpiece 50 Years in the Making

To commemorate 50 years of Japanese-made denim, we’ve combined U.S. Texas cotton, the oldest loom in Japan—Ishikawadai—and the craftsmanship of Kojima’s Showa factory to produce an extraordinary pair of Big John jeans. Now available as part of our regular lineup. Don’t miss out on this timeless piece!