Tanuki's idea was to take the highly textured ZETTO fabric as a basis and bring something new to the table. This fabric is named "Zetto Benkei". Musashibō Benkei was a legendary and masterful samurai who existed in the 10th century and was tough as nails, yet loyal and admired. Benkei is often depicted sitting under the Japanese pagoda tree, the enjyu. It is the buds of that very tree which give this denim its mellow yellow beige colour but also allow for more structure and stiffness compared to un-dyed wefts.

Milled on one of the oldest original shuttle loom left in Japan, which can only produce very limited quantities every day, this fabric oozes heritage and character. Texas cotton is used as is the ideal material for the irregular, yet durable surface. The yarns are rope-dyed and dipped in pure indigo seven times and then woven with ultra-low tension which allows the dark-beige weft to shine through the surface. The dark beige weft is cheese-dyed and lends a nice vintage feeling to the denim and has a crisp hand. The contrast between the dark blue and the dark beige will become more pronounced when the jeans are worn in. The fades for this one will be very unique and interesting. These jeans will become your loyal companion, just as Benkei was for those who counted on him.