Alex and Steve’s Japan visit - June 23

[Steve]

Kojima train station - hmmm wonder what Kojima is famous for again?

[goosehd]

@Steve That's pretty cool from my denim nerd's point of view Thank you!

[goosehd]

@Steve ...and I'm dying to know: Did you pick up any vinyl?

[Steve]

@goosehd unfortunately not yet, but am planning more visits to record shops!

[goosehd]

@Steve Looking forward to it and great pictures!!

[A Former User]

Everything is denim suited up amazing

[Steve]

Have been touring IH factories and mills today - pics to follow (so many to edit!) But until then, here’s a IH teddy given to us by Haraki San

[Steve]

So have been editing the factory visit images. We do plan to make a video showing the process from beginning to completed piece (that will come soon) but until then here’s a few images of the pre indigo yarn (more teaser pics will follow as I edit!…)

[A Former User]

@Steve amazing! Can’t wait for the vid! Nice that you guys do this behind the scenes thing! Also a nice gift from H

[Karol]

@Steve Beautiful photos! These symmetries and textures!

[Kasi]

@Steve

bravo

[Steve]

some more pics, but this time with indigo making an appearance…

[Salted Racer]

Beautiful-- natural to dyed! These images are soul food for the denim head : )

[Steve]

Haraki-San at the IH Kojima store

[68degreesorless]

@Steve Great photo. I imagine you've been spending some time with him on your trip. Could you share more about his personality? I imagine he might need a certain level of intensity and focus to do what he does. But he also seems joyful and a bit silly at times, at least on social media. Do you communicate in English or through a translator? I would be interested to learn more.

[Steve]

Some of the next stage in the process - weaving on shuttle looms

[Steve]

Always need tools to repair these machines!

[Giles]

In fact, Haraki chooses the smaller mills on the basis of how good the mechanic is and thus how able he is to keep the machines running well....

[tody]

What's the smell like, what's more predominant? Smell from the fabric, or from the machines?

[Steve]

@68degreesorless Haraki-San is very focused on his work/design, but very open to ideas, he does have an understanding of English, but we do use Sarina to translate.