Samurai - Heavy Weight "Night Owl" Printed T-shirt Black [SCT26-101]

The Samurai SCT26-101 “Night Owl” Tee takes the same fabric-first approach as the brand’s denim and applies it to a heavyweight graphic T-shirt. Made in Japan from Samurai’s textured 8.5oz cotton jersey, it has a noticeably substantial hand from the beginning while remaining comfortable enough for regular wear. In Black, the artwork comes through with strong contrast against the darker body.

The fabric starts with carefully selected raw cotton spun into thick No. 14 slub yarn. Because the yarn deliberately varies in thickness, the finished jersey has an uneven, slightly dry surface rather than the smooth uniformity of a conventional T-shirt. With wear and washing, those irregularities become more apparent as the cotton softens and begins to conform to the body.

Samurai knits the fabric slowly on vintage Daimaruki circular knitting machines dating from Japan’s early Showa era. These older machines operate at a fraction of the speed of modern industrial knitting equipment, producing roughly one metre of fabric per hour. The slower process helps preserve the character of the slub yarn and creates a dense 8.5oz tubular jersey with no side seams through the body.

The “Night Owl” artwork draws on the symbolism of owls in Japanese folklore. Sometimes described as the “ninja of the forest” because of their silent nocturnal nature, owls have long been associated with protection, wisdom and good fortune. There is also a familiar piece of Japanese wordplay surrounding fukurō, the word for owl, which can be interpreted through different characters as meaning “without hardship.” Because of this, owl imagery is commonly used as a good luck motif in Japan.

That connection gives the graphic more meaning than a simple nocturnal illustration. Samurai takes the owl’s role as a watchful nighttime protector and translates it through the brand’s own graphic style, pairing traditional Japanese symbolism with the slightly irreverent artwork found throughout their seasonal T-shirt collections.

Construction is finished with a triple-needle binder neck designed to reinforce the collar and help it retain its shape through repeated wear. The shirt receives a one-wash treatment before leaving Japan, taking care of most of the initial shrinkage while beginning the process of softening the heavyweight jersey.

Made in Japan.

Key Features

• 100% cotton

• 8.5oz heavyweight Japanese slub jersey

• Thick No. 14 slub cotton yarn

• Naturally irregular, textured surface

• Slowly knitted on vintage Daimaruki circular machines

• Early Showa era knitting machinery

• Approximately one metre of fabric produced per hour

• Tubular body construction

• No side seams

• Dense, substantial jersey

• Dry hand that softens with wear

• “Night Owl” graphic

• Owl motif inspired by Japanese folklore and good luck symbolism

• Triple-needle binder neck

• Ribbed collar

• One-wash finish

• Black colourway

• Made in Japan

• Style SCT26-101

• Also available in Light Grey, Navy and White
• See more from T-Shirts
• Shop more styles from Samurai Jeans

Fabric & Care

100% cotton, 8.5oz heavyweight slub jersey.

The No. 14 slub yarn creates natural variations in thickness throughout the fabric, giving the shirt its characteristic uneven texture. The jersey begins relatively firm and dry to the touch but will soften considerably with repeated wear and washing.

The shirt has received a one-wash treatment, so major initial shrinkage should be minimal. Some additional settling may still occur depending on water temperature and drying method.

Wash cold, preferably inside out, and hang dry to preserve the shape of the garment and printed artwork.

Fit

Regular Japanese T-shirt fit with a relatively neat body and classic proportions.

The heavyweight fabric gives the shirt more structure than a conventional lightweight tee, while the tubular construction allows it to sit cleanly through the body without side seams.

Samurai sizing generally runs smaller than standard North American sizing. We recommend comparing the garment measurements against a T-shirt you already own and like the fit of before choosing your size.

Samurai SCT26-101 Night Owl Tee in Black, made in Japan from 8.5oz heavyweight slub cotton slowly knitted on vintage Daimaruki machines.

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.