Skip to main content

Shuttle Notes: A Japanese Brand Worth Noting

SNMC AW17 S
There is a good reason that Japanese menswear has a cult following Stateside: It’s known for high-quality craftsmanship, timeless wearability, and rich history. One such brand that embodies all three of these qualities is Shuttle notes Master Cloth, a terrific men’s lifestyle label with an extensive background in textile and garment manufacturing. Its woven fabric mill, Maruwa, was established in 1948 in the Nishiwaki region close to Osaka and since then the company has more than earned its reputation a great manufacturer of premium Japanese fabric and garments. It’s no wonder then that it’s a key seller at in-the-know independent men’s fashion stores from Grahame Fowler and Blue in Green in New York to Unionmade in San Francisco.

James Kimura-Green, Shuttle notes’ U.S. sales manager, recently shared the brand’s story and the reasons for its appeal …

What is Shuttle notes best known for?

Woven shirts. Currently, we offer four woven shirt styles; a traditional oxford button down called the Officer shirt, a short sleeve version, a work shirt called the Engineer shirt, and our U.S. navy inspired Deck shirt. Seasonally, we offer these shirts in different Maruwa fabric often specially milled for the collection. Regardless of type, dress or work, each shirt is meticulously sewn with the care and detailing found in high-end dress shirts. Any shirt using our premium fabric woven on traditional shuttle looms from yarn spun on 1940s spinning machines deserves to be crafted with the same care and effort as the fabric itself.

Shuttle Notes
Deck Shirt/Shuttle Notes Image used with permission by copyright holder

How would you describe the overall design aesthetic?

The design aesthetic starts with quality fabric, then combines military/vintage inspired silhouettes with a modern sensibility crafted with the care and attention to detail seen in formal-wear.

What sets the brand apart?

We are a mill brand, so there is a collective experience brought forth by the generations that have worked and continue to work at the company whether it is at the mill, our textile designers, sourcing team, etc. There is a tremendous amount of teamwork that goes into making quality fabric and quality garments. An important aspect that we want to emphasize is that, although we value traditional methods, we design our garments with a modern taste and modern silhouette so that it fits our current consumer’s style.

Shuttle Notes
Henley Marlon/Shuttle Notes Image used with permission by copyright holder

What are some key shirts in the current collection?

The short sleeve Officer Shirt is sewn from dense poplin fabric woven from fine 100/2 yarn. Like our long sleeve Officer shirt, the fine stitched detailing and chain stitch sewing will shrink and shift with wear creating a natural buckling in the seams. The classic detailing sets this warm weather standard apart from the rest.

There are many like it but our Deck shirt is also special. We start with American cotton spun into yarn that is rope dyed for a classic selvage chambray woven on shuttle looms. This work shirt utilizes double and triple chain stitching with further detailing akin to dress shirts.

And the Henley Champs revives the ’80s Champion henley in a slimmer silhouette using a soft cotton/rayon composition. The collar and rib is a Shuttle notes standard French hem, with white accents to spruce up the standard henley shirt.

And non-shirt offerings?

We make our 14 oz. left hand twill denim Trucker jacket with a blue stitching, a yellow contrast stitching, and a black denim jacket with black stitching. The jacket has classic detailing with a slimmer body and sleeve.

shuttle notes trucker jacket
Trucker Jacket/Shuttle Notes Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Ska Sta jacket combines elements of the “Sukajan” also known as the Japanese souvenir jacket and details of the classic baseball stadium jacket. A cotton/nylon and cotton/linen blend fabric is employed with woven ribbing and chord piping on the raglan sleeves.

What is the price range?

Our collection ranges from indigo bandannas retailing at $44, shirts from $150-$300, pants from $250-$400, and jackets up to $600.

Who is your “typical” customer?

Our “typical” customer is a smart consumer who demands and expects quality, someone who will invest in their outward appearance and desires strong staple pieces in their wardrobe that will age beautifully.

What are the top reasons readers of The Manual should check out and wear Shuttle notes Master Cloth?

They deserve authentic Japanese quality in a consumer environment that applauds fast fashion. We provide quality fabrication using quality fabric. This should be expected of us from all readers everywhere, period.

Editor’s Note: This article is part of The Manual’s larger Journey to Japan travel guide. Over the course of a month, our writers had the pleasure of experiencing Japan in all its forms, from high-rise bars in Tokyo to traditional tea ceremonies in Kyoto. We hope this series will not only inform, but inspire you to take your own trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Christopher Blomquist
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Christopher is a native New Yorker who lives and works (mostly) in Manhattan. A longtime fashion journalist, he served as…
Swatch, Tate partner for watch collection that literally puts art on your wrist
Swatch x Tate Gallery collaboration inspired by paintings
Swatch x Tate collaboration watches

Swatch, renowned for its quirky designs and commitment to self-expression, has joined forces with the prestigious Tate galleries to create an extraordinary collection of Swatch watches that blur the lines between art and utility. The Swatch x Tate Gallery Collection isn't simply a collaboration but a celebration of creativity, individuality, and the appeal of wearable art.

Each Swatch watch is dedicated to the artwork of its respective artist. From Turner's Scarlet Sunset to Bourgeois's Spirals, every watch tells a unique story. Whether you're drawn to the whimsical charm of Marc Chagall or the bold simplicity of Fernand Léger, there's a watch in this collection to suit every taste and personality. This partnership further cements Swatch's position as a brand that bridges the gap between art and simple timekeeping with bold designs and vibrant colors.
The Swatch x Tate Gallery Collection: Wearable art

Read more
78 pairs of Gucci sneakers just had their prices slashed
A man wearing the Ace tennis sneakers.

The spring and summer months are the perfect time to upgrade your sneaker collection. With fresh styles and lightweight materials, sneakers are the best shoes for the warmer months for everyday wear, traveling or simply hanging out at a bar. Sneakers are now more popular than ever with men wearing them in both casual and formal situations. Here is a definitive guide to wearing a suit with sneakers if you want to combine a luxury look with a fresh new pair of kicks.

Right now, you can shop more than 70 pairs of Gucci sneakers on sale at Gilt. You can get up to $275 dollars off casual and fashion sneakers from this coveted brand in a mix of colors, styles and materials. Click the button below to start browsing these designer sneakers before time runs out.

Read more
Citizen celebrates 100th anniversary with throwback limited edition pocket watch
Citizen debuts 100th anniversary pocket watch
Citizen 100th anniversary pocket watch

Citizen watches have a legacy that spans a century, with a name that evokes reverence, innovation, and enduring quality. Now, in a momentous celebration of its 100th anniversary, Citizen unveils a breathtaking homage to their inaugural masterpiece: the Special Limited Edition Pocket Watch. That's right, a pocket watch for men. Since the success of Peaky Blinders and peak Thomas Shelby fame, pocket watches have garnered a somewhat cult following and Citizen has jumped on that bandwagon with a celebratory timepiece of their own.
Citizen watches: A brief history

In 1868, Japan underwent a significant transformation as the Edo period concluded, marking the end of samurai dominance. The dawn of the Meiji era saw Japan embrace modernization and industrial growth until 1912. By the 1920s, the widespread adoption of imported pocket watches reflected Japan's burgeoning participation in global trade.

Read more