[Pre-Order] Studio D'Artisan "Karasu Denim" Selvedge Jeans (Regular Straight)

D1912

Expected Delivery: End of September, 2026

Pre-order deadline: October 12th @ Midnight (JST)

Learn more about our pre-order process here

• 15oz. Unsanforized "Karasu Denim" Selvedge denim 
• 100% Cotton
• Regular Straight fit
• Indigo x Sumi dyed warp yarns
• Purple dyed weft yarns
• 4 Button fly featuring Original Studio D'Artisan metal buttons
• Engraved copper male/female rivets
• Herringbone pocket bags
• Fifth pocket Selvedge detail
• Original "Karasu Denim" cowhide leather waistband patch
• Center belt loop offset
• SDA original back pocket stitch
  

SDA's latest venture into colored wefts pay homage to one of Japan’s most poetic color traditions: Karasu no Nurebairo (烏の濡れ羽色), a term that has long been used to describe the deep, lustrous black of beautiful hair. The phrase evokes the sheen of a crow’s feathers after rain, a black so rich it reveals subtle blue and purple highlights beneath the surface. In classical Japanese aesthetics, this shade symbolized refinement, elegance, and quiet strength, and was often praised as the very image of the “Nihon Bijin” (日本美人), or Japanese ideal of beauty.

Drawing from this cultural lineage, SDA have crafted a denim that captures this layered depth of color through natural dyeing techniques. The warp threads are dyed in a blend of sumi ink and indigo, producing a black with a subtle bluish undertone. The weft yarns are dyed with shikon (purple gromwell root), creating a faint violet cast that surfaces when the denim catches the light. Together, these threads weave into a fabric that embodies the visual richness of a crow’s plumage, with shifting hues that deepen over time.

The inspiration extends beyond aesthetics to spiritual roots. In Japanese mythology, crows (karasu) are seen as divine messengers, guiding forces between the human and sacred worlds. Even today, shrines across Japan honor these birds, keeping alive their symbolic role as bearers of protection and direction.

*Please note that this is an unsanforized pair of denim, and the raw version will shrink up to 10% with the first soak, and will then stretch out with wear. Learn more about Unsanforized denim through ourRaw Denim Care Guide, and also through this infographic! All measurements are based on the way we measure, according to our Fit Guide.

**The one wash variant is commerically washed in a factory, and thus maximizes the shrinkage of the garment. This variant will only stretch with wear, with no additional shrinkage expected from the listed measurements below.