Thud, thud, thud… The sewing needles move rhythmically up and down. Surprising fact, it takes over eight different sewing machines to complete each pair, with around 30 machines in total standing ready in the workshop. In an era dominated by calls for mechanization and automation, NALUTO TRUNKS stays true to its roots, with skilled artisans carefully sewing each pair of surf trunks by hand.
“To keep the fabric from rubbing against the skin, we have to use several different types of stitches for each pair,” explains Kiyoshi Yamaguchi, the brand’s leader, in a cheerful tone. “It may not look like it, but it’s actually pretty tricky. Originally, this was a swimwear factory, so we have the skills and expertise we developed there.”
After taking over the family business, a mass-production swimwear factory, Yamaguchi-san launched his own brand in 2008. A dedicated surfer, he deeply loves his hometown of Naruto and the iconic waves of California’s West Coast.
“I’m really into the California surf culture from the 1950s to the 70s. But it’s tough to find classic surf trunks that go well with those vintage boards. So I started making them myself as a hobby.”
Most surf trunks are made of nylon, but Yamaguchi-san’s are mostly crafted from cotton. They’re more durable and longer-lasting, and he actively encourages repairs. With around 20,000 custom order options, you could say they have confidence in their unique sewing techniques.
“Actually, this area has a long history of sewing, so much so that we have a traditional industry called ‘Naruto Tabi’,” Yamaguchi-san informs us. “But unlike Imabari in Ehime, which is famous for its towels, our region is hardly known nationwide. People in Tokushima are either not that good at PR, or perhaps they just care too much about preserving their local culture. But there are a lot of people here doing things just as impressive as in Tokyo.”
Take, for example, The Coffee Beans, a café along the old Muya Kaido Road. Yamaguchi-san has been drinking the coffee brewed by the master here since his high school days. With its remodeled interior of a 90-year-old traditional house and its selection of specialty coffees, it’s the perfect spot to spend some extraordinary me-time.
Near Jizo-ji, the 5th temple of the Shikoku Pilgrimage, is FUJIMURA BAKERY, which Yamaguchi-san confidently declares has the best bread in all of Shikoku. With around 40 varieties, including yakisoba bread, sausage rolls, and custard cream buns that evoke memories of school lunches, it’s no surprise that most of the bread sells out by lunchtime.
“Surfing at its core is all about localism. I would love for you and everyone to experience the true craftsmanship of Tokushima locals. We’ll keep sewing with care and commitment. And starting this year, we plan to bypass Tokyo and supply the market in California. Just imagine local surfers on the other side of the Pacific riding waves with the NALUTO logo on their trunks — sounds exciting, doesn’t it?”
Kiyoshi Yamaguchi
Born in Naruto City, Tokushima Prefecture, Kiyoshi Yamaguchi is the founder of NALUTO TRUNKS & CO. After graduating high school, he immersed himself in the surf culture of the West Coast in the United States, hooked on the surfer lifestyle. In 2008, he launched NALUTO TRUNKS, creating Japan’s only custom-made surf trunks.