Pure Blue Japan - Woven 15oz Extra Slub Denim Jeans Slim Tapered Wash Black [PER-EX-013-BK]

Pure Blue Japan’s PER-EX-013-BK combines one of the brand’s most heavily textured denim fabrics with an unusual Black x Kakishibu colour combination. Built from 15oz Extra Slub selvedge denim, the jeans pair a sulphur-dyed black warp with a persimmon-dyed weft, creating a dark exterior with warm brown and orange tones sitting just beneath the surface.

The Extra Slub fabric is woven from highly irregular yarns, with significant variations in thickness creating a pronounced three-dimensional texture across the denim. Rather than appearing flat and uniform, the surface has strong vertical streaking and the rain-like character that has become closely associated with Pure Blue Japan’s more extreme slub fabrics.

PBJ uses a sulphur-dyed black yarn for the warp, giving the exterior its deep black starting point. The weft is dyed using kakishibu, a traditional Japanese dye derived from persimmon. The process creates an earthy colour ranging from brown through burnt orange, which can be clearly seen on the interior of the jeans and subtly influences the appearance of the black face.

Kakishibu has a long history within Japanese craft, where persimmon tannins have traditionally been used for dyeing and preserving textiles, paper, wood and other materials. Here, PBJ uses that traditional dye alongside its much more contemporary Extra Slub denim, creating a fabric where the unusual colour is just as important as the texture.

The two colours should become increasingly connected as the denim ages. Sulphur-dyed black gradually loses colour through friction and washing, moving through charcoal and grey tones rather than conventional indigo blue. As the black warp fades, the warmer kakishibu weft underneath can become increasingly apparent, adding brown and orange undertones to the developing denim.

At 15oz, the fabric has enough weight to emphasize its rugged surface without moving fully into heavyweight denim territory. The low tension construction and irregular yarn give it a substantial, textured hand when new, but the fabric will soften and become more flexible as it is worn. The countless raised areas across the Extra Slub surface also provide plenty of opportunity for irregular, high contrast fading.

Construction follows Pure Blue Japan’s traditional five pocket format with a button fly, custom metal hardware, copper rivets, hidden rear pocket rivets and raised belt loops. Blue selvedge ID provides a small flash of colour at the outseam, while PBJ’s signature embroidered indigofera leaf finishes the rear pocket.

The 013 Slim Tapered fit gives this fabric a noticeably cleaner silhouette than the 019 Relaxed Tapered version. It has a mid rise, a slimmer top block and a gradual taper through the leg toward a narrow hem. For anyone who likes PBJ’s heavily textured fabrics but prefers a trimmer silhouette, the 013 keeps the focus on the denim without adding unnecessary volume through the leg.

What makes the PER-EX-013-BK particularly interesting is that it does not age like a conventional black jean. The combination of an extremely irregular surface, fading sulphur black and warm persimmon underneath gives the fabric several different ways to change. The result should become considerably more textured and varied the longer it is worn.

Made in Japan.

Key Features

• Pure Blue Japan PER-EX-013-BK

• 15oz Extra Slub Japanese selvedge denim

• 100% cotton

• Highly irregular Extra Slub yarn

• Pronounced three-dimensional texture

• Rain-like vertical slub

• Sulphur-dyed black warp

• Kakishibu persimmon-dyed weft

• Brown to burnt orange interior colour

• Blue selvedge ID

• Slim Tapered fit

• Mid rise

• Slimmer top block

• Tapered lower leg

• Five pocket construction

• Five button fly

• Custom PBJ metal hardware

• Copper rivets

• Hidden rear pocket rivets

• Raised belt loops

• Leather waistband patch

• Signature PBJ indigofera leaf embroidery

• One washed

• Made in Japan

• Also available in the Relaxed Taper PER-EX-019-BK
• Shop more styles from Pure Blue Japan

Fabric & Shrinkage: Made from 15oz 100% cotton Extra Slub Japanese selvedge denim with a sulphur-dyed black warp and kakishibu persimmon-dyed weft. The irregular yarn and low tension weave create the heavily textured surface, while the combination of black and warm brown-orange yarns gives the fabric its distinctive colour. This pair is one washed, taking care of the majority of the initial shrinkage. Wash cold with similar dark colours and hang dry.

Fit: PBJ’s 013 Slim Tapered fit has a mid rise with a relatively trim seat and thigh before tapering through the lower leg to a narrow hem. It is noticeably slimmer through the top block than the 019 Relaxed Tapered version. Refer to our garment measurements and compare them with a well-fitting pair of jeans before selecting your size.

Pure Blue Japan PER-EX-013-BK 15oz Extra Slub selvedge jeans with black sulphur warp, kakishibu persimmon weft and a slim tapered fit. Shop now.

Unsanforized denim, one washed at the factory. Minimal further shrinkage with a cold wash and hang dry.

These figures are estimates. Fabric, fit, and care all affect how a garment settles, so treat them as a guide rather than a guarantee. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Garment measurements taken flat before wash. Compare against a piece you already own and love.

Canada: free Standard shipping over $300 CAD, otherwise $19.99 in BC and $24.99 to the rest of Canada. Express is $33 flat. Tracked courier, 1 to 4 business days.

United States: free Standard shipping over $350 USD, otherwise $25.99 USD. Express is $30 USD.

Returns: read our Return Policy for full details on returns and exchanges.

Wear for as long as you can before the first wash. Cold soak, hang dry in shade, never tumble dry. Full guide in our Journal.