Based in Tokyo, AZABU takes its name from 麻布 (asa no nuno), meaning “hemp cloth.”

AZABU HEMP GEAR creates Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gis and equipment built around daily training, repeated use, and long-term wear.

After years of training in Jiu-Jitsu, we noticed the same pattern across many different gis. No matter how light, comfortable, or well-designed they were, repeated training and washing would eventually start to wear certain parts down.

A gi is not just clothing.
It gets pulled on the mat, soaked with sweat, washed, dried, and worn again the next day. We wanted to create equipment that could better withstand that repetition over time.

That process led us to hemp.
Hemp is known for its durability and resistance to repeated friction and washing. We wanted to see how it would hold up through actual daily training.

As we continued wearing the gi over time, the fabric gradually began to change. The worn-in state started to feel more natural than when it was brand new.

Some equipment becomes more personal the longer you use it.
We continue wearing and observing our gear through daily training, and those experiences continue to shape what we make next.