SAMURAIJEANS_SSS26-NRS (Noragi Sashiko Work Shirt)

SPIRAL COMMENT

Such a humble look, yet such an incredibly intricate fabric!

The SSS26-NRS Noragi Sashiko Work Shirt from SAMURAI JEANS has arrived at Spiral.

From a distance, it looks like a beautifully understated indigo shirt. But take a closer look, and you'll discover something quite special.

The fabric is woven with indigo-dyed warp yarns and alternating beige and charcoal-colored weft yarns, creating a remarkably distinctive Noragi Sashiko pattern.

At first glance, the tiny motifs seem perfectly uniform. But look closely, and subtle variations in color and texture give the fabric a wonderful sense of depth.

As you can see in the photos, gathering the fabric in your hand really brings out its three-dimensional woven structure.

It's the kind of texture that simply can't be achieved with a flat printed pattern.

Despite having a satisfying amount of substance, the fabric is surprisingly smooth and exceptionally comfortable to wear.

The design itself is a classic work shirt, with flap pockets on both sides of the chest.

Dark nut buttons blend naturally into the fabric, while navy pocketing fabric adds subtle accents to the construction.

Durable triple-stitched felled seams give it the sturdy construction you'd expect from a proper work shirt.

With such an unusual fabric, it's nice that the design remains so straightforward.

That simplicity allows the textile to take center stage.

It looks fantastic with jeans, of course, but would also work beautifully with chinos or rugged duck canvas trousers.

It's the kind of shirt that gives an outfit character without even trying.

Inspired by traditional Japanese workwear and reimagined as a modern work shirt, this is a piece that feels unmistakably SAMURAI JEANS.

100% Cotton / Made in Japan

Spiral Note

Sashiko-Inspired, but Not Actually Stitched: Japanese Workwear Expressed Through Weaving

Noragi refers to traditional Japanese work clothing once worn by farmers and agricultural workers.

These garments needed to be durable, comfortable, and practical enough to withstand the demands of everyday labor.

Sashiko, meanwhile, is a traditional Japanese stitching technique used to reinforce fabric, add warmth, and extend the life of clothing.

It developed from a culture of making the most of limited resources, repairing garments, and wearing them for as long as possible.

The fabric used for the SSS26-NRS draws inspiration from the textures of traditional Noragi and Sashiko, but recreates their character through weaving rather than embroidery.

Both the warp and weft use 20/2 two-ply cotton yarns.

The warp is indigo-dyed, while the weft alternates between beige and charcoal-colored yarns.

Combined with a relatively open weave structure, these yarns create an intricate pattern defined not only by color but also by texture, raised surfaces, and subtle shadows.

Look closely at the fabric photos, and you'll see tiny rectangular shapes formed by the beige and charcoal yarns between the indigo threads, with each yarn crossing contributing to the dimensional surface.

In other words, the pattern isn't printed onto the fabric. It's created entirely through the arrangement of the yarns and the way they're woven together.

Although the name includes Sashiko, this isn't fabric that has been stitched after weaving. Instead, the distinctive Sashiko-like appearance is built directly into the woven structure.

There's something fascinating about the combination of the humble beauty of traditional Japanese workwear and the skill of modern textile manufacturing.

And here's something I'm particularly happy about: this special fabric was woven right here in Hamamatsu!

Hamamatsu has a remarkable textile heritage, and some truly wonderful fabrics are still being made here.

It's always a pleasure to introduce a piece that reminds us just how special the craftsmanship of our own region can be.

Please note: This shirt runs slightly small. Be sure to check the actual measurements in the size chart below before purchasing.