Big John is a casual clothing manufacturer founded by Kotaro Ozaki (尾崎小太郎) in Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture.[1] Originally named Maruo Hifuku (マルオ被服),[2] it was the first company in Japan to manufacture jeans domestically, and so has been called "the godfather of Japanese denim brands".[3][4][5]

At first the company used made in USA fabric and sewing machines, but later contracted with the Kurabo mill and in 1973 started producing the first 100% Japanese jeans using domestically made fabric.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b ‘Made in Japan’ jeans from Okayama still evolving, 50 years on Japan Times, February 27, 2023
  2. ^ (in Japanese) HISTORY
  3. ^ Big John Urahara Store
  4. ^ Big John Okayama Denim
  5. ^ KAGEYAMA, Yuri (November 24, 2024). "Japan's Kojima a mecca for lovers of jeans". Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Associated Press.
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See also

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