![]() He plants the seeds in March and harvests the plants twice in summer. ![]() Kenta Watanabe is both a dyer and one of very few remaining “aishi”-dye artisans who produce their own dye. The plant grows in abundance in the town of Kamiita, one of Tokushima’s main production sites for ai. The raw material necessary to produce Awa-ai dye is the indigo (ai) extracted from the Japanese indigo plant. Natural indigo dye-born from plants and microorganisms Over 2,000 Tokushima farmers were involved in cultivating and processing the dye during the peak production period. Workers separate leaves and stalks- the raw materials needed to produce indigo dye. The high-quality dye was called “Awa-ai” and the brand became known across Japan. The industry grew, and over time, processing techniques were refined, and the quality of the indigo dye was raised. The government at the time put protections on the land and actively encouraged dye production. The Yoshino River runs through northern Tokushima Prefectureĭuring the 16th century, the production of indigo dye proved lucrative for the area. The Yoshino River that runs through northern Tokushima irrigates the surrounding land, providing an ideal environment for the cultivation of the Japanese indigo plant (Perisicaria tinctoria), the plant from which indigo dye is extracted. ![]() The prefecture is around a 70-minute flight from Tokyo.Īizome dyeing in Tokushima dates back nearly 800 years, and the prefecture’s location is key to the development of the practice. Every year in August, over a million people visit the prefecture to dance in the Awa Odori Festival-a traditional folk-dance festival held over several days. Tokushima is dominated by mountains and sea. The clothes are cool in summer, warm in winter, and have antibacterial properties. Aizome, indigo dyed clothing, is made with natural dye. Aizome refers to the practice of traditional indigo dyeing. The prefecture used to be part of the Awa province, and its unique brand of indigo dye, “Awa-ai,” refers to this heritage. Dyeing fabric using plant-based natural dyes has long been part of Tokushima culture. Tokushima is one of four prefectures in Shikoku-Japan’s smallest major island, located around 250 km southwest of Kyoto- and it is one of Japan’s main producers of natural indigo dye.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |