It's a classic fade that looks just like vintage-washed, with the clear, beautiful textbook whiskers, drawing all the eyes. “My style is to wear a favorite pair casually almost every day,” says the owner. "This is a pair of jeans I always end up wearing, from the moment I wake up, throughout the day, until I take a bath in the evening, because it's comfortable.”

In this phase contrasts begin to appear all over, like shadows, adding depth and dimension. “Ever since I started wearing them, they have been my go-to pair every day,” the owner says. “I wanted to create natural wear marks, so I always keep my smartphone in the right pocket of the painted side. The fading has just only started, but it goes nicely with a trench coat, so my winter has been more enjoyable.”

This is an older model, featuring a low-rise and a streamlined silhouette. “I waited about six months before the first wash,” says the owner. “Since I'm on my feet most of the time at work, the honeycombs haven’t really formed yet, so I might do more squats in the future (laughs). I own three pairs of the same model and size, and I rotate them.”

A tightly-fitted female specimen. “I like denim ranging from deep blue to lightly worn condition after one to two years, rather than pieces that are overly faded. It’s really coming along nicely, and I’m looking forward to pairing it with a T-shirt in the summer. The rise is deeper than the previous tapered model, which makes it easier to wear. Next, I’d like to try the wide-fit model,” she says.

The radiating creases behind the knees subtly reveal how well it fits. “Since it is a slim cut, it creates nice definition. I wanted the fading to complement my legs, so I only avoided restaurants where it might pick up an odor, and wore it five times a week. The back pocket tore and my smartphone keeps falling out, so it needs repair,” he says.

A rare indigo-blue archive piece, with deep black tones remaining in place. The right hip pocket, probably heavily used, has resulted in profoundly distinctive cracking and peeling along the iconic two lines. The wearer is unknown, but the wider leg and broad cuff is reminiscent of a certain personality.

This is a piece stored in-house at Japan Blue. Its smart, slim silhouette accentuates the contrast in color above and below the knees. The honeycombing is subtle, yet the knee front features interestingly deep, radial creases. The hem shows asymmetrical wear that appears unintended, adding a realistic, worn feel.

Even among the MOMOTARO JEANS samples, this particular piece, showing exquisite three-dimensional aging, is the present highlight. Not only the whiskers and honeycombs, but even the stacking at the hem is clearly reflected in the fading. The slightly relaxed knees and twisted tapered legs—details rarely seen—make this piece truly unique.

Although they no longer fit and the owner doesn't wear them, he has kept this pair due to his deep attachment and the fading that perfectly suits his taste. “I think they’ve faded in a way that truly embodies this brand,” he says. Back then, I often paired them with work boots and did unnecessary squats (laughs).”

They have faded significantly, yet the creases across the piece show the owner was not overly meticulous about aging, giving it the appearance of genuine workwear. “I wasn’t trying to force any particular fade, but the contrast turned out beautifully,” he recalls. “I love their heft and ruggedness, so I just washed them like regular clothes without giving it much thought.”

These are early samples created after the rebranding, with details that differ from the final product. Having been washed like regular garments, they have developed significant fading. "They're moderately wide and comfortable to wear. As I get older, comfort has become a bigger priority for me. They were raw when I started wearing them, so I also used this as a test to see how whiskers would develop after washing," the owner says.

These are early samples worn in by a member of the development team. Details are slightly different from the final product. “This is a prototype for the new TOKUNO BLUE denim, created by revising the pattern and designing the fabric. A few of us started wearing them simultaneously as part of the testing, and it was my responsibility to wash them frequently. I even went jogging in them,” he says.

A dawn-like dark tone, yet with clearly defined wear marks. “I wore them every day for the first six months, then two to three times a week after that. Since it was my first pair from the new MOMOTARO, I had planned to go a year without washing them, but before I knew it, I’d worn them for over a year straight. I guess it’s about time to wash them,” he says.

Wide silhouette jeans with a length that doesn’t look sloppy. The narrow cuff adds a subtle touch. The waist fits snugly, so whiskers formed naturally. “The great thing about the pair is that it's baggy but makes the legs look long because it's high-waisted," says the owner.

A personal pair belonging to a finance and accounting professional with a desk-bound job. “In my second year at the company, I was suddenly told, ‘Please wear these.’ Suits make my shoulders stiff, so I was grateful. The fabric was stiff at first, but it quickly broke in. Both the color TOKUNO BLUE and the silhouette are beautiful, and go well with a jacket,” he says.

This slim-silhouette model was chosen to be worn as part of a matching set. "At first, it feels a little tight, but as you wear it, it softens beyond your imagination and develops a luster. The fading is great, of course, but I especially love the buttons. The level of satisfaction I get from buttoning and unbuttoning them is second to none,” says the owner.

The owner forms creases by wearing them for about an hour after washing and spinning, before they fully dry. “I wore them 23 hours a day for the first four months, which is all the time except when bathing. The other day, I went to meet my girlfriend’s parents in these and a matching top, and somehow ended up taking a dip in the sea of Tokushima in that outfit. Creating creases is a hobby of mine,” the wearer says.

The silhouette and the size were chosen to prioritize the beautiful shape they form when I'm standing. Combined with their flat tone, they look like a pair of slacks. “I’ve always liked wearing used denim with designer brand pieces. Wearing this with a paired top has become my go-to outfit for important days,” the owner says.

The pair, passed down from a close staff member, fits perfectly at the waist and is roomy around the legs. “Although I’m from Kojima, I’m not a denim enthusiast, and I prefer pieces that have faded significantly, so this is still pretty dark. I do hemming and have a habit of bending my left leg, so the pair became asymmetrical,” the wearer says.

The fade is well-balanced from the knees up to the thighs and from the hips down to the hem. "I don’t have a particular preference for color fading—I like every phase. That said, this pair is still a work in progress. I’d rate it about 60 out of 100. I wear them while enjoying the vertical fade lines and the unyielding color of TOKUNO BLUE, which is its distinctive feature,” he laughs.