Some collaborations take a few months to put together. Others take years of research, trial, and dedication. Our latest project with Samurai Jeans belongs to the second group—a journey of more than two years that began with the discovery of a fruit and ended with one of the most unique pairs of jeans we've ever created.

This LIMITED EDITION comprises 200 pairs of selvedge Jeans in a Slim Straight Tapered cut.

After countless hours of production, numerous samples, meticulous fabric inspections, and dyeing trials, we're proud to present the limited “Yamamomo-Dyed” capsule—set to launch on October 31st.

The Beginning: A Fruit with a Forgotten Past

On one of our trips to Japan, we came across the Yamamomo tree, also known as Japanese Bayberry. Its fruit is unlike any other—ruby-red and bumpy on the outside, juicy within, with a single seed at its core. Beautiful in appearance and sweet to eat, the Yamamomo has another side to its story: a dyeing tradition that dates back more than a thousand years.

The bark of the Yamamomo was once prized in Japan for its ability to produce deep, earthy brown tones. During the Edo period (1603–1867), fermented extracts from its bark—known as Shibuki—were widely used in textile dyeing. But over time the practice vanished, and by the modern era it had almost completely disappeared. Today, only a handful of workshops in Japan still remember how to handle this dye.

The idea struck us: what if we could bring this forgotten technique back, and fuse it with the rugged strength of Samurai denim? 

From Idea to Collaboration

In May 2023, we met with Nogami-san and Hiro at Samurai Jeans in Osaka. Around the table, we shared our vision of creating a fabric overdyed with Yamamomo. It was ambitious, risky, and incredibly challenging. But it felt right—an opportunity to revive a piece of Japanese heritage and channel it into denim.

What followed was two and a half years of experiments. We tested different fabrics, dye concentrations, and mordants. Most trials failed. The color was unstable, uneven, or simply not what we were looking for. But step by step, iteration by iteration, we drew closer to the ideal balance. The breakthrough came when we introduced an iron mordant to the process. The iron deepened the tone and fixed it more securely, producing a complex brownish-indigo unlike anything we had ever seen.

Our meeting with Samurai in 2023, alongside images of the various dye and fabric tests that shaped the YAMAMOMO project.

At last, we had it: a new denim that combined Samurai’s 21oz Cho-Kiwami selvedge with the living soul of Yamamomo dye.

The Fabric and Its Living Character

The fabric itself is a marvel. The warp retains a base of deep indigo infused with reddish-brown and even subtle purple undertones. The weft has been transformed into a warm, earthy brown—something entirely unique in the denim world.

Because of the hand-done overdye, no two pairs are identical. Slight variations in shade and texture are inevitable, and that is precisely where the magic lies. The finish will never be perfectly uniform. With wear and fading, these nuances gradually even out, creating a look that evolves uniquely with each wearer.

Even the details of the jeans bear the mark of the overdye. Orange and yellow cotton stitching darkens into muted, vintage tones. Red pocket bags shift into a deep reddish-brown patina. Each overdye cycle—dyeing, washing, drying—layered more depth into the fabric until the desired richness was achieved.

Symbolism in Every Detail

For us, a collaboration isn’t about surface tweaks; it’s about weaving meaning into every element. The Sakura buttons honor the fact that both cherry blossoms and Yamamomo trees bloom in spring. The second button, painted deep red by hand, reflects the fruit itself, clustered in rich red-purple tones when ripe.

Inside the waistband, a special Yamamomo label marks the collab, while on the outside, the cowhide leather patch tells a story of cultures meeting: a Samurai forging a sword over Redcast’s anvil. As always, we stitched the patch only after the overdyeing and washes were completed, ensuring it keeps its crisp shape and sharp definition.

Other signature Samurai details remain intact but gain new resonance here: hidden back-pocket arcs that reveal themselves with fading, jin rivets with a dark oxidized tone reminiscent of iron, and the silver lamé selvedge ID symbolizing the sharpness of Samurai swords, now further enriched by the dye.

To complete the experience, each pair comes with a coin pouch—overdyed in the same Yamamomo process and featuring the collab label. A small but meaningful gift that embodies the spirit of our collaborations.

Fit and Wearability

We built this project on Samurai’s most iconic silhouette: the 710 Slim Straight. With a medium rise and a clean, slim leg, it is both modern and timeless.

The jeans run slightly small, so we recommend going up one size. The denim is unsanforized, but the repeated overdyeing and wash treatments have already removed all shrinkage. And because every body is different, we strongly suggest checking the size chart to ensure the best fit.

Limited to 200 Pairs

Exclusivity is at the core of this collaboration. Only 200 pairs were produced, each individually numbered from 001 to 200 on the leather patch. Every pair is more than just denim—it is a piece of history, a revival of a dyeing craft that disappeared centuries ago, reborn through patience, experimentation, and passion.

A Collaboration Rooted in Patience and Heritage

This project wasn’t easy. Reviving the Yamamomo dye required two and a half years of persistence, dozens of failed attempts, and a dedication to craft above convenience. But in the end, it represents what collaborations should be: something new, something meaningful, something that tells a story.

The Redcast Heritage x Samurai “Yamamomo-Dyed” Slim Straight Jeans are more than a garment. They are a bridge between Spain and Japan, between past and present, between forgotten traditions and modern craftsmanship. They carry the soul of the Yamamomo tree, the strength of Samurai denim, and the spirit of Redcast.

Only 200 exist. And each one is truly one of a kind.