This Henley embodies Samurai's ideals and is crafted entirely from premium Samurai Japanese cotton. This fabric boasts remarkable character and offers an incredibly soft texture that we believe is unmatched in the Henley realm.

The Samurai Cotton project is the passion of Nogami-San, the owner of Samurai Jeans, who is dedicated to producing garments using Japanese cotton. So, what sets this Japanese cotton apart? Each fibre is carefully picked by hand, and the team navigates the challenges posed by typhoons and heavy rain in the Sasayama area (Hyogo prefecture) during autumn. The cotton plants are hand-planted, weeded, and harvested, with a commitment to avoiding any fertilisers or pesticides. This meticulous work is carried out by a team of Samurai employees, loyal customers, and friendly local residents of Sasayama. As a result, producing T-shirts from Samurai cotton is both costly and labour-intensive, yet it results in an exceptionally soft and high-quality fabric.

Samurai has spared no effort in creating the best possible tops. They selected a #10 slub yarn made from their proprietary Japanese cotton, which is hand-harvested and woven in Wakayama using vintage looms. For the construction process, they turned to a traditional sewing workshop in Kyoto. The top features a binder neck created with two needles, and all seams are stitched using a vintage Union Special flat seamer (model 36200) from the 1960s. The henley neck is completed with premium genuine shell buttons.

A note on the Kuri dye from Samurai: 'Along with black soybeans, the Sasayama area is also famous for its own brand of chestnuts called 'Tamba' chestnuts. We’ve extracted a dye from the astringent skins of these chestnuts and mixed it up to make a really attractive colour, falling somewhere between beige and brown.'

Samurai jeans have established themselves as a legend within the Japanese denim industry. Founded in Osaka by Toru Nogami in 1997, Samurai embodies the pinnacle of Japanese craftsmanship, showcasing the heritage of Sengoku-era samurais and a relentless pursuit of excellence through superior materials, artisanal techniques, and distinctive detailing.

100% Organic Japanese cotton from Samurai
Slubby hand
Genuine shell buttons
Triple-needle binder neck collar
3-button placket
Flat seams
Cotton sewing threads
1960s vintage Union Special flat seamer 36200 machine used for all seams
Woven in Wakayama, sewn in Kyoto

Made in Japan