Osaka Five : the five brands that made Japan denims better than the American one
If Japanese people admire the American way of life, it is partly because the American lifestyle holds a promise of freedom and intense life, which is the antithesis of the Japanese culture where work and comformity is the norm.
Thus, it is not a surprise that the nippons developed a real admiration for the blue jeans, symbol of America, in the period after the second world war.
However, due to the rising cost of importing vintage jeans and the declining quality of American jeans at the same time, some Japanese began to make their own replica of vintage jeans. Here is the short story of five companies from Osaka and its surrounding areas that have led Japan to become the denim leader in the world
Studio artisan : the veteran
Considered the first of the Osaka Five, Studio d’Artisan is the brand that reintroduced the vintage details of the original Levis 501 jeans. Whether it was the incorporation of sliding back buckles or the use of raw selvedge fabric, the company was the absolute opposite of the fashion of the time when pre-washed and faded jeans were selling like crazy.
Denime: like the original 501
The second company, Denime, founded in 1988 by yoshiyuki Hayashi, has focused on making the most faithful Levis 501 jeans replica on the market. This almost perfect reproduction of the original Levis jeans, coupled with the quick dyeing of its denim and its wide distribution in Japan, has lead Denime to become the spearhead of the Osaka 5 team.
Evisu : the most famous
Certainly, one of the most famous Japanese denim brands in the world, Evisu has been able to expand the reputation of Nippon jeans abroad thanks to its painted seagull wing jeans, popular among American hip-hop stars.
Full count: the most premium of all
Full count has made a name for itself in Japan by using Zimbabwean cotton, which is known for its long fiber length and softness, making the jeans soft and strong. Full count was also one of the first denim companies to experiment with the production of jeans with heavier cotton fabrics.
Warehouse: the original with a twist
This last company, founded by the Shiotani brothers in 1995, has positioned itself on the production of vintage jeans, with slight modifications. For example, Warehouse jeans are made of intertwined threads, which gives them a different final quality than the classic jeans. Other details such as iron buttons, copper rivets, a rayon pocket tab and deerskin leather patch have set Warehouse apart from its competitors.
Sources
The History Of The Osaka 5 — Studio D’Artisan, Denime, Evisu, and More (heddels.com)
