Samurai Jeans - "Go Fly A Kite" Aged Cotton Inlay Loopwheel Tee Black [SJST26-105]

The Samurai Jeans “Go Fly A Kite” Tee in Black takes what could have been a simple graphic T-shirt and builds it around one of Samurai’s more unusual fabrics. The SJST26-105 is made from the brand’s Aged Cotton Inlay Loopwheel fabric, combining a substantial knit with artwork drawn from traditional Japanese kite culture.

Before the cotton is even spun into yarn, Samurai allows the compressed raw cotton to rest for approximately 30 to 50 days inside a temperature and humidity controlled environment. Cotton is normally transported tightly compressed, so this aging process gives the fibres time to recover some of their natural fullness before spinning. The resulting yarn has a softer, fuller character before it ever reaches the knitting machine.

From there, the yarn is taken to Wakayama, Japan, where the fabric is produced on vintage loopwheel machinery using a high-gauge inlay knitting technique. These machines are slow under normal circumstances, producing around one metre of fabric per hour. With Samurai’s more complex inlay construction, production drops to approximately 48 centimetres per hour.

The result is a thick and substantial knit with an unusually soft hand that Samurai describes as almost moist to the touch. Unlike many softer loopwheel jerseys, the high-gauge inlay construction has comparatively little stretch, helping the shirt retain its shape with wear. Samurai also uses split side construction at the hem to improve the silhouette and allow the heavier fabric to sit more naturally on the body.

The artwork draws from the history of Japanese kites, or tako, which became a popular pastime during the Edo period. Traditional kites were commonly made from strong washi paper and decorated with musha-e, bold illustrations of warriors. They were also considered auspicious objects and were flown at important seasonal occasions with hopes for good health, children's growth and advancement in life. Samurai brings that history into the SJST26-105 with its own warrior-inspired kite artwork.

Finished in Black, the darker body gives the traditional kite graphic a stronger contrast while keeping the texture of the aged cotton fabric at the forefront. It is a good example of what Samurai does particularly well, taking an everyday piece and putting far more thought into the fabric and manufacturing than initially meets the eye.

Made in Japan.

Key Features

• 100% cotton

• Samurai Aged Cotton Inlay Loopwheel fabric

• Cotton rested for approximately 30 to 50 days before spinning

• Temperature and humidity controlled cotton aging process

• Vintage loopwheel knitted in Wakayama, Japan

• High-gauge inlay knit construction

• Fabric produced at approximately 48 cm per hour

• Thick, substantial fabric with a notably soft hand

• Lower stretch than conventional loopwheel jersey

• Split side construction

• Traditional Japanese kite inspired artwork

• Graphic references Edo-period musha-e warrior imagery

• Black colourway

• Made in Japan

• Style SJST26-105

• Also available in Ivory
• See more from T-shirts
• Shop more styles from Samurai Jeans

Fabric & Care

100% cotton aged cotton inlay loopwheel knit.

The dense inlay construction gives the fabric a substantial hand while remaining remarkably soft. Compared with a conventional loopwheel jersey, the fabric has less stretch and is designed to hold its shape particularly well.

Wash cold, preferably inside out, and air dry to help preserve the fabric and printed artwork. Always follow the garment care label.

Fit

Samurai's standard T-shirt sizing follows a trim Japanese fit. This particular fabric also has less natural stretch than a conventional jersey, so customers between sizes or looking for a more relaxed fit may prefer to size up.

We recommend comparing the garment measurements against a T-shirt you already own and like the fit of before choosing your size.

Samurai Jeans SJST26-105 Go Fly A Kite Tee in Black, made in Japan from aged cotton inlay loopwheel fabric slowly knitted in Wakayama.

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.