A Japanese Jeans So Hard that It Stands on Its Feet
Japan's leading jeans manufacturers Big John came up with a jeans so hard and stiff that it "stands on its own feet ".
It's called "G Han"- Han for a kanji for "sail".Yes, It's made of extra-thick sailcloth and is already in the net market September 11. A product of Kurashiki's Big John, G Han is a new addition to their line of jeans. A special sewing machine with a needle three times as wide was brought in to do the sewing. The sailcloth maker Takeyari supplied extra-thick sailcloths.
No. 3 spec. model 1.37mm thick weighs 1.5kg, twice as heavy as conventional jeans. "Watch out for bleeding, folks", warns a Big John attendant.
Two models are available: No.3 spec model (50,000 yen off tax) and No.6 spec. model 0.98mm thick.(38,000 yen off tax).
Big John celebrates their 75th anniversary this year and just a half century since they marketed the first domestic jeans. They are highly acclaimed for their craftsmanship in marketing exceptionally stretchable jeans and have pursued thus far their concept of "Complete Free".
Now, the company is returning to the basics by challenging the limits of craftsmanship (President Osamu Ichihara).
Fifty years ago when the company imported denim fabric, it looked like a tin plate. After years of trials and errors, they have brilliantly localized jeans in Japan.
The City of Kurashiki has always been home to the culture of cotton and its share of sailcloth production is nearly 70%. This tradition is no doubt behind Big John's G Han project.
G Han is basically for men and they plan to market 50 each of two models. Curious who wouldn't mind bleeding to wear these extra-stiff jeans. Well, again, people are funny....
