About us

Welcome to BIG JOHN, the original Japanese denim brand that's been defining quality and craftsmanship since 1940. Founded by Kotaro Osaki in Kojima, Japan, what started as a small sewing factory known as Maruo Clothing has grown into a pioneering force in the world of denim.

Initially, we focused on making workwear and school uniforms. However, by the late 1950s, things changed. Osaki’s realization that jeans were trending among the youth led us to venture into denim. This marked the revolutionary idea of building jeans from scratch, leading to the birth of domestic denim pants in Japan.

In 1965, we produced Japan’s first domestically made jeans, overcoming numerous challenges, such as sourcing denim fabric and adapting sewing techniques. These jeans were released under the brand "CANTON.", pioneering what is now known as “one-wash denim.”

In 1967, we launched our original brand, BIG JOHN. The name was inspired by the founder’s name, Kotaro, which is fairly common in Japan, similar to "John" in English. "Kotaro" means "small boy," so the original idea was "SMALL JOHN." However, for a brand with such ambitions and passion, we needed a bigger name: BIG JOHN. 

From the 1970s onward, BIG JOHN continued to innovate, introducing Japan’s first 100% domestically produced jeans in 1973 and creating the world’s first selvedge denim made with slub yarn in 1983.

Today, BIG JOHN remains a respected name in denim. Our collections, such as the Rare Jeans and women’s line, showcase our commitment to quality and craftsmanship. The Rare Jeans, introduced in the 1980s, are made using traditional looms and feature unique fading patterns, making them a standout in the world of denim.

In 2019, we celebrated our 80th anniversary with the release of the XXXX-EXTRA model, made with organic cotton from five continents. This reflects our dedication to sustainability and innovation.

With over 8 decades in the denim business, BIG JOHN has gathered a cult following amongst denim fans worldwide, known for durable and timeless jeans that get better with wear and become treasured companions. 

Experience BIG JOHN, the original Japanese denim brand that will always remember its heritage but keeps evolving with the times, just like our jeans.