Aota Mituhiro: A Researcher’s Approach Finally have a complete set of Aota’s personal researched projects. FULL GEAR - 5 years of research, published 2005 ZIPPER GEAR - 8 years of research, published 2013 Who Made the 501XX - ?? years of research since Aota was always a denim head, published 2018 Denim is truly a gateway, but not often seen to this extent. With over 40 years of experience, Aota is known as one of the best researchers specializing on American vintage. Out of the 3, FULL GEAR is highly sought after since it is out of print. Prices are reaching over $1000 online. And because the plates ended up being destroyed after publishing, there are no hopes on a 2nd edition or English translation any time soon... The book exists, but In very few hands. After attempts to check it out from the Smithsonian, the only leads of it ever being sold in the states was at J Crew’s Madison store in 2013, according to their Tumblr. All 3 are the first of their kind; solely written by Aota. He saw fit to be trained by a professional photographer in order to take photos of his own personal collection and dozens of Japanese and US amateur collectors’ collections for these books. FULL GEAR is a birds’ eye view of flight gear and focused on who and when these items were made. Data was compiled on flight gear cross referencing fiscal years with contract numbers and manufacturers. ZIPPER GEAR deciphered the zipper’s age and it’s progression in history along with the period correct examples in militaria and sportswear. Who Made the 501XX? thoroughly examines the Levi’s history and established theory in Japan. Aota uncovers the truth of who was responsible for the different fits/styles of the 501 from the past century with an amazing amount of investigative journalism, interviews, and historical materials. Brb as we translate these books for our personal use 😉