Even though Samurai Jeans got their start a few years later than the other Osaka brands, they’ve permanently secured a place in the denim pantheon for their combination of unique ingredients – ranging from wildly-textured loomstate selvedge denim to jacquard-knit pocket bags – and distinctive flavor drawn from the brand’s Japanese imagery. Today’s Fade Friday is a special model limited to one hundred pairs, produced exclusively for Japan’s denim boutique Aikidou.

The Naniwa Special derives its name from the archaic term for the region that later became known as Osaka. It features the cut of the S0500xx model, with the 19 oz. denim from the S710xx model. Its most distinctive details are perhaps the hidden arcs underneath the standard arcuate stitching.

Additionally, the Naniwa Special features an original patch and flasher exclusive to the model. Worn by Max Power, frequent Superdenim contributor and elder statesman of the occidental denim community, these jeans have seen one year of wear and about ten washes–both by washing machine, and by hand. These jeans were hemmed at Berlin’s DC4 and are still actively worn in the Heavyweight Denim Championship 2013-2014 competition. Showing an impressive balance of contrast, texture, and overall evolution, this is a pair that’s only going to get better with continued wear.

Details

Name: Samurai Naniwa Special

Weight: 19 oz

Fit: Slim Straight

Color: Indigo

Denim: Unsanforized, 100% Cotton Selvedge Denim

Length of Wear: One year

Number of Washes: About ten

Before

After