Indigo Dyeing near Kyoto
Fermenting natural indigo
There is an excellent article in the May 2011 issue of the Kyoto Visitor’s Guide on naural indigo dyeing. It touches briefly on the history of indigo, the materials needed, the dyeing process, and the profiles of two indigo artisans in Kyoto, Toru Shimomura in Ohara (north of Kyoto) and Kenichi Utsuki, master dyer of Aizenkobo in Kyoto.
The hands of Shimomura, an indigo dyer
The annual Kyoto Kimono tour to Japan includes a trip to Ohara but we do a workshop (that includes indigo) at Oharakobo, a family-run farm, weaving, and dyeing studio, but we hope to visit the Shimomura studio on a future trip. We used to also visit Aizenkobo, and it is well worth the trip for anyone interested in natural indigo dyeing.
To read the article, click here.
These special dyes work with a group of non-metallic auxiliaries.
We used to also visit Aizenkobo, and it is well worth the trip for anyone interested in natural indigo dyeing.These special dyes work with a group of non-metallic auxiliaries.