Samurai Jeans
Samurai Jeans is a Japanese denim brand founded in Osaka in 1997 by Toru Nogami. It is known for heavyweight selvedge jeans in fabrics ranging from 15oz to 25oz.
| Founded | 1997, Osaka |
|---|---|
| Founder | Toru Nogami |
| Denim weights | 15oz to 25oz |
| Key lines | Kiwami, Cho Kiwami, Yamato, Zero |
| Website | samurai-jeans.com |
What is Samurai Jeans?
Samurai Jeans is a Japanese premium denim brand founded in Osaka in 1997 by Toru Nogami. Its first product was released in 1998, and the label has since become one of the best known names among enthusiasts of heavyweight Japanese denim.
Products and positioning
The brand specialises in heavy selvedge denim. Its fabrics are produced in weights of 15oz, 17oz, 19oz, 21oz and 25oz, alongside an 18oz AI Plus fabric made with cotton grown on the brand's own experimental farm. Models such as the 510, 710 and 5000 are offered in several series:
- The classic basic line
- The Yamato series
- The Zero and Kiwami lines, including the 21oz Cho Kiwami
- Regular limited editions and collaborations
Fits range from slim straight to regular straight and relaxed tapered cuts.
Distribution
Samurai Jeans sells through its own online store and through specialist denim retailers in Japan and abroad.
Why it matters
Samurai is one of the brands that turned extreme fabric weight and slub texture into a defining feature of Japanese denim, and its long running limited editions illustrate how heritage denim labels build loyal, collector driven communities.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Samurai Jeans?
Samurai Jeans was founded by Toru Nogami in Osaka in 1997.
What is Samurai Jeans known for?
The brand is known for heavyweight Japanese selvedge jeans, with fabrics reaching 21oz and 25oz.