Denim Daruma

Since ancient times, the Japanese have believed that a life force resides in all creations.

Valuing and caring for the things we use, a "Zero Waste Life."

Pointing the way to better living for a new era.

The things that took care of us,
the things we wore, full of memories, by breathing new life into them
we can make them live again.

In Japan, a certain object, believed to bring luck and ward off evil, has been popular for a very long time.

The "Daruma."

A round body with a large painted-on face, notable for its thick eyebrows and full beard.

The port city of Yokohama, not far from Tokyo.

Here, an artist is producing his own unique versions of the classic "Daruma" figures.

His name is Shimizu Aoi.

Traditional "Daruma" are made of paper, but Shimizu uses a rather different material.

Old jeans from friends.
That's the material I use.

They don't wear them anymore,
so they're happy to give them to me.

Denim discards.

Jeans, an American original, paired with the traditional Japanese "Daruma."

What sort of art will result?

Time to break them down.

From the pieces, he cuts out what he needs to make the Daruma.

These will be the eyebrows.

The fabric pieces are applied to a mold made of polystyrene and clay.

Making use of the difference in color between the front and reverse sides of the material, he creates the Daruma's distinctive face.

It's all done. I'm finished.

The face outline and the beard are dark,
the body is light. I like the contrast.

It's smaller, so you could call it cute.

His denim Daruma are trending, and Shimizu is getting more and more orders for them, even from overseas.

Ten years ago he was actually a pro skateboarder.

Whenever he practiced, he always wore his favorite jeans.

As he approached retirement, he was determined to become an artist in his second life.

At that moment, his eye was caught by a load of worn-out denim.

The way it stains, tears or fades,
I found that really interesting.

I wanted to make something that
put those qualities to good use.

And I already had lots of old jeans.

But what to make with it?

After coming up with the initial idea, he started out by making art objects like flowers or clocks.

The turning point came when a friend asked him to make a reception board for a wedding.

He used patches from jeans that had actually been worn by the couple, for the lettering and faces.

I thought as a couple, they must've
worn them together, going on dates.

Those memories in the material
made the end result all the better.

The bride and groom and all the guests were thrilled with the art he created.

After such a positive reaction, he devoted himself to making denim art.

Coming to its culmination in his denim versions of the uniquely Japanese Daruma.

Denim encodes the memories
of the person I make them for.

"Daruma" have always been used
to make wishes, so they're perfect.

They're the best way to make use of it.

Inspired by material full of memories.

Shimizu doesn't only use denim for the many unique Daruma that he creates.

Shimizu has just taken on a new client.

Denim devotee, Niikura Daisuke.

I love jeans, they're important to me,
so I keep my collection of old pairs here.

He just can't bear to part with them.

So he turned to Shimizu to help give them new life.

I gained some weight,
and they don't fit anymore.

It's a waste leaving them in a drawer,
so let's use them for a denim "Daruma."

I can't wait to see how it turns out.

Before cutting, he examines every inch of the client's jeans.

I use all kinds of elements from jeans.

I also try to use any distinctive features,
like this embroidery.

Or this part here. It's a must.

This red reinforcement stitching has caught his eye.

This sort of pleating is a hallmark of vintage jeans.

The red stitching is something
a real denim lover ought to notice.

Looks like he's settled on a design.

First, he cuts out the all-important red stitching.

Shimizu then applies the fabric to the Daruma's belly.

What he's making is a pocket.

The client specifically requested that he include a place to keep a wedding ring.

If you put the ring in here like so...

I made it tight enough that
the outline should show through.

That way you can see it's there.

The all-important accent is applied as the finishing touch.

Framing the Daruma's distinctive face, the red stitching makes for cute look.

And the distinctive embroidery adds an accent to the back.

Little bits and pieces from the jeans are everywhere you look.

A one-of-a-kind Daruma is born.

The day of delivery.

- Thanks so much for coming in.
- My pleasure.

He's in here.

I'll introduce you. It's always stressful.

It's so cute. You used the embroidery.

It's just amazingly cute. I'm so happy.

- Is it what you expected?
- No, it's far better than I thought.

And now, to try out the ring pocket.

- Not bad, right?
- It's great.

It really is cute. I'm so happy with it.
It's something I'll cherish.

Take good care of him.

My jeans became something.

Much better than throwing them out
or giving them away.

- Thank you so much.
- Not at all. It's my pleasure.

Anything can have value, not just jeans,
but a jacket or a bag, or even shoes.

But if you just leave it in a drawer,
isn't that the same as throwing it away?

I can turn it into a decorative object,
a guardian to watch over the house.

That's my idea of a Zero Waste Life.