Walnut shells colour Momotaro’s latest drop
Japanese denim brand Momotaro Jeans has introduced a natural dyeing concept, Onigurumi Dyed, as part of its autumn/winter 2025 collection.
The technique uses dye extracted from the shells and husks of the Japanese black walnut tree (known locally as onigurumi), a species native to Japan and historically used as a natural dye source as far back as the Nara period. The name comes from the nut’s rough, demon-like surface (“oni” meaning demon).
Momotaro’s process begins with an initial base dye using its proprietary reactive dye method, followed by a natural dye bath with the onigurumi extract. The company says this combination allows it to capture the subtle depth and tonal variation of natural dyeing while improving stability against fading.
To refine the process, artisans control boiling and filtration steps to adjust tone and enhance colour retention. Momotaro describes the result as a unique brown shade that preserves the “wavering” character of natural dye, while offering durability through modern dye-assist technology.
