Join our "Head of Denim" Moreno Scholl on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Japanese denim craftsmanship — from the cotton fields of Sasayama to the indigo-scented flagship in Osaka. Discover how tradition, patience, and passion transform simple fibers into the legendary Samurai Jeans, and meet the artisans who keep Japan’s denim legacy alive, thread by thread.

We meet on a sunny morning in Osaka at the flagship store of Samurai Jeans, which is – much like Samurai's cotton project – a down to earth operation with incredible love for detail. Immediately, we sense the passion and appreciation for denim in all its facets. Not only the raw denim fabric with their strong indigo blues, but a wall dedicated to the timeworn examples of their jeans each telling a story. Hiro, one of the employees, welcomes us with a warm smile. After showing us around, he leads us through the shop to an adjacent double garage that serves as a warehouse. Here the team is busy at work with packing orders, sorting fabrics, and the many organizational tasks.

After a short tour, we get into the car. Our next destination: the Sasayama Cotton Base, about two hours outside of Osaka’s city center. Leaving Osaka, narrow streets lead us through mellow countryside until we are greeted by Toru Nogami, founder of Samurai Jeans.

At the Sasayama Cotton Base, we are introduced to the heart of the “Samurai Cotton Project” — a vision that started with the dream of creating things 100% organically and domestically. A vision dedicated to create the finest Japanese garments possible, entirely by hand from start to finish. This is not the easy way, but it’s the Samurai way — “Making things in Japan, in the Japanese way.”

Cotton once flourished in Japan, especially in and around Osaka during the Edo period (1603–1867), but by the 1970s domestic production of cotton had nearly vanished and was replaced by imported material. Through their project, Samurai Jeans has taken up the challenge to revive Japan’s traditional cotton culture and restore the pride once found in the old, handcrafted ways of making things.

The project aims also to have a positive social and cultural impact. Japan faces an aging population and significant youth migration to urban areas, leaving many rural regions sparsely populated. By engaging local communities—especially children—through hands-on workshops that introduce them to cultivation, harvesting, spinning, weaving, and dyeing, they hope to revive a sense of appreciation for agriculture and traditional craftsmanship. Samurai believes that true clothing comes to life only when many hands and hearts are involved.

Our visit begins with a hands-on workshop. We are invited to try our hand at dyeing a T-shirt using a traditional resist-dyeing technique where marbles create the pattern. The dye comes from local black beans, a symbol of sustainable local production and Japanese craftsmanship. Watching the deep, natural colors emerge connects us to the very soil that nurtured not only the cotton but also the dye.

Next, we head out into the fields. The cotton here is grown pesticide-free, using fertilizers made from bamboo charcoal, bamboo chips, chicken manure, and old seeds. The fields are teeming with life – insects, birds, and small animals — proof that nature thrives in balance. Samurai also uses abandoned farmland, revitalizing once-empty plots and creating employment opportunities for locals.

Not only are age old traditions revived, but also cotton varieties. Samurai cultivates two distinct cotton plants in separate fields and 100% organically to preserve their purity:

• KOJIRO (Western cotton) – longer fibers, more lustrous, and stronger yarn.

• MUSASHI (Japanese cotton) – a native strain with a rich cultural heritage.

With a handful of picked cotton, we carefully separate the delicate fibers from the seeds, spin a fine yarn, and weave a small piece of fabric. The process makes one realize how much manual labor, patience, and skill go into even the smallest piece of denim.

From March to October, Samurai Jeans holds monthly field events at the Sasayama Base. These gatherings bring people from urban areas closer to nature — a chance to learn, reconnect with nature, and participate in something meaningful. The interaction between city and countryside reflects the spirit of modern Japan embracing its roots.

After the hands-on work, the team invites us to a shared lunch at a local restaurant. There’s aromatic soup and homemade sushi made with regional ingredients — authentic, earthy, and comforting. We also enjoy the same black beans used earlier for dyeing, closing the loop of nature and craft.

As we return to the flagship store, we carry with us vivid impressions — the smell of the soil, the feel of the yarn, and the deep hues of indigo. The day leaves us with a renewed appreciation for true craftsmanship, sustainability, and the dedication behind every pair of Samurai Jeans.

The Samurai Cotton Project is more than just clothing production; it’s a movement to preserve Japan’s traditional rural culture and reconnect people to the origins of their garments. Through organic farming, local involvement, and hands-on craftsmanship, Samurai Jeans proves that denim can be more than fashion — it can be a living story of community, heritage, and respect for the earth.