Japan November 2013…...

[Giles]

Well, we went for a Korean BBQ last night, and some beer was imbibed…..

[Arabit]

Drinks + Karaoke today maybe G?

[Graeme]

I really like these shirts.

And the brown hickory…

This is going to lead to me setting up a monthly Direct Debit with IH UK...

[Giles]

@Arabit:

Drinks + Karaoke today maybe G?

No.  Today we go the Iron Heart Kojima branch and then scope out possible venues for the new Triple Works shop.  After that we are going to Sarina's Dads screen printing factory to document that.  There is even a rumour that Winchy and I will be allowed to do some screen printing…..

I was allowed to sew false plackets at the shirting factory yesterday.

[Giles]

What yesterday made me understand is that what we vaguely think of as weaving and sewing is actually an exercise in engineering.

We went to 2 amazing "house factory" mills.  The first had about 6 looms in it and was run by a husband and wife team, the second had about a dozen shuttle looms and was run by one guy.  In both cases, Haraki uses these people, primarily because of the engineering skills of the people involved.

[Giles]

Statistic of the day.  A Toyoda shuttle loom will produce only enough denim to make about 18 pairs of jeans in an 8 hour shift - and that is if everything goes well…..

[Giles]

Gon signs a pair of Jeans.  It is not my business to say why this is happening, but you will find out soon.  Tom was super excited to see this particular pair as she had personally hand stamped the pocket bag - this was in the days before we screenprinted them…

[Giles]

[trail and arrow]

@Giles:

What yesterday made me understand is that what we vaguely think of as weaving and sewing is actually an exercise in engineering.

We went to 2 amazing "house factory" mills.  The first had about 6 looms in it and was run by a husband and wife team, the second had about a dozen shuttle looms and was run by one guy.  In both cases, Haraki uses these people, primarily because of the engineering skills of the people involved.

wow,
that's one of the reasons why i love IH so much!

[Giles]

And even in the shirt sewing factory, the owner spent most of our time with him enthusing over modifications he had made to the machinery.  Some of you (Rocket) may remember the problem we had on the placket of the IHSH-80, I was proudly shown the reengineered false placket folder that was made as a result of my observation to Haraki….(Rockets well warranted bitch actually)....

[Giles]

Another batch ready to leave for QC at Hachioji….

[Snowy]

@Giles:

What yesterday made me understand is that what we vaguely think of as weaving and sewing is actually an exercise in engineering.

Foreplay in words for me, if ever I've read.

[mclaincausey]

Some great stuff from G san in this thread.

[Giles]

I took 100's of pics yesterday….Will get uploaded just the minute I stop having fun....

[Giles]

Pockets for PIHANN7 being cut…

[Madame Buttonfly]

@Winchy:

Thanks all. I've grabbed plenty more footage and will chop it down when I get the time, which will probably be on the flight home.

Great vid Matt, am excited to see more!  But do try to get some rest on the journey home… you've no idea what a mess I've created since you've been gone... 

[Giles]

I have

[twin]

Excellent video Winchy G just loving it in Japan.

[Aetas]

Thanks Winchy. Loved the scene, all waving there hands up, and done!

[Giles]

So on Thursday, we visited a couple of House Factories which weave some of our denim.  These are tiny places, one was a husband and wife team, the other just one guy.  The first thing you notice is the incredible noise, you then notice that there is indigo dust everywhere (including up our noses as we discovered later)….

I had to be air-jetted off before I was allowed back into a car…