BIG JOHN

BIG JOHN, founded by Kotaro Osaki in 1940 as Maruo Clothing in Kojima, began as a maker of workwear and uniforms. In the 1960s, the company pioneered Japanese denim by producing the first domestically made jeans, initially using American fabric and later developing its own Japanese denim. The brand introduced innovations like one-wash denim and launched its own label, BIG JOHN, in 1967. By 1973, it released Japan’s first 100% domestically produced jeans, cementing Kojima’s reputation as the heart of Japanese denim. BIG JOHN’s Rare Jeans line and other collections became known for quality, unique fading, and traditional craftsmanship. Today, the brand is celebrated globally for its durable, innovative jeans and enduring commitment to heritage and sustainability.