Pure Blue Japan
Japan
Pure Blue Japan is a denim brand founded in 1997 by Ken-ichi Iwaya in Kurashiki City, Okayama. It makes jeans on old low-tension shuttle looms with natural indigo. It is known for irregular, textured fabric and a strong patina.
| Founded | 1997 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Ken-ichi Iwaya |
| Origin | Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan |
| Segment | Denim and casualwear |
| Signature | Natural indigo, shuttle loom denim |
| Website | purebluejapan.com |
What is Pure Blue Japan?
Pure Blue Japan is a Japanese denim label. Retailer Burg and Schild says it was founded in 1997 by Ken-ichi Iwaya in Kurashiki City, Okayama. Blue Owl, a US retailer, adds that Iwaya started the brand out of his passion for denim.
Products and positioning
The brand focuses on jeans, with the XX-013 as its standard indigo denim in a slim tapered fit. Blue Owl describes irregular, distinctive fabric made with vintage shuttle looms and natural dyeing. The leaf logo on the back pocket represents the indigofera plant used for natural indigo.
Production
According to Burg and Schild, the denim is woven on old low-tension shuttle looms, which give the fabric a rough, loose surface that develops a contrasting patina. The brand still makes jeans using traditional Japanese methods and older patterns. Blue Owl highlights close attention to detail at every step, from dyeing to weaving, sewing and hardware.
Business model and distribution
The sources reviewed show the brand sold mainly through specialist denim retailers in Europe and the US, rather than through its own large retail network. Details of its own stores and company structure were not confirmed.
Why it matters
Pure Blue Japan is part of the Okayama group of makers that helped establish Japan's reputation for premium, small-batch denim.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Pure Blue Japan from?
Pure Blue Japan is from Japan. It was founded in 1997 by Ken-ichi Iwaya in Kurashiki City, Okayama.
What is Pure Blue Japan known for?
It is known for irregular denim woven on vintage shuttle looms and dyed with natural indigo. The leaf logo refers to the indigofera plant.