BIG JOHN
BIG JOHN is a Japanese denim brand from Kojima in Kurashiki, Okayama, which began making jeans in 1965. It is regarded as one of the founding names of Japanese jeans manufacturing.
| First jeans | April 1965 |
|---|---|
| Origin | Kojima, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan |
| Flagship | BIG JOHN Kojima main store (opened 2017) |
| Sister brands launched | Bobson (1969), Betty Smith (1970) |
| Website | bigjohn.co.jp |
What is BIG JOHN?
BIG JOHN is a Japanese jeans brand rooted in Kojima, a district of Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture that is known as the birthplace of Japanese jeans. The brand grew out of the clothing maker Maruo Hifuku.
History
In April 1965 the company began producing jeans in Japan, initially using imported American fabric, supplies and sewing machines. The name BIG JOHN was chosen by Ozaki Kotarō, then chief executive, and early advertising presented the jeans as if they came from California. The same business later launched Bobson in 1969 and Betty Smith in 1970, the latter described as Japan's first women's jeans brand.
Products and positioning
Today BIG JOHN makes denim jeans and related goods with an emphasis on Japanese craftsmanship and its Kojima heritage.
Distribution
In 2017 the brand opened the BIG JOHN Kojima main store on Kojima Jeans Street, which sells denim goods and offers hands-on experiences including indigo dyeing, denim accessory customisation and strap making. The brand also reaches international customers through specialist denim retailers in Europe.
Why it matters
BIG JOHN marks the starting point of the Japanese jeans industry that later earned Kojima and Okayama a global reputation for premium denim.
Frequently asked questions
Where is BIG JOHN from?
BIG JOHN comes from Kojima in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, the birthplace of Japanese jeans.
When did BIG JOHN start making jeans?
BIG JOHN began producing jeans in Japan in April 1965.