Samurai doesn’t just make T-shirts—they forge them. The SJST-TW01 is their heaviest tee to date, weighing in at a formidable 15.7oz, and it’s unlike anything else in the world of knitwear. Crafted in Japan from #10 air-spun yarns, this tee blurs the line between heavyweight jersey and lightweight sweatshirt—dense, rugged, and ready for a lifetime of wear.

What makes this fabric so special? Samurai uses a rare open-ended spinning technique, twisting thick, short-staple cotton fibers using only air. The result is a yarn that’s naturally slubby, irregular, and rich in texture. By doubling the yarns—essentially creating a #5 weight—the fabric gains incredible heft without sacrificing breathability. This is cotton with character: dry to the touch, with a bold structure that softens and molds to your body over time.

The #10 yarn, already considered very thick for jersey fabric, is further twisted into a double yarn—effectively creating the equivalent of #5 yarn. This ultra-sturdy jersey is knitted with threads strong enough to be used in heavy denim. The result is a fabric that’s rugged, textured, and built to last. The classic fit is boxy and balanced—roomy without being sloppy—and it's finished with a reinforced two-needle binder neck designed to maintain its shape through years of wear.

But the fabric alone isn’t the full story—Samurai has also perfected a layered dyeing technique. This creates a rich, dimensional tone that shifts subtly depending on the light and angle, and continues to evolve with wear. 

Fit Notes: All Samurai tees run smaller than standard American sizes. If you typically wear a size M in American t-shirts, you'll likely need a size L in this one. However, fit may vary based on body type, so we recommend checking our size chart for the best fit. We stock the Large (Overseas version), which is 3cm longer than the Japanese version.