Day 7 - Indigo Production in Japan

Japanese indigo dye vat  (photo global.rakuten.com)

It is believed that in the fifth century AD China introduced indigo to Japan. Like many other countries using indigo they centered many of their own cultural beliefs and customs around the growing and production of this mysterious deep blue dye. For example, during the three month process of starting a successful indigo dye vat, an auspicious day on the Buddhist calendar was carefully chosen. Once the fermentation had begun Japanese farmers considered the nurturing of the vat, called the bedroom, akin to protecting a baby. Straw mats called bed covers were laid on top of the vat to keep the baby warm. Each time the warm fermenting mass was turned in the vat an offering of rice wine was made to the god of  Ai or indigo. 

Indigo dyed fabrics were widely used in Japan for bedding, clothing, wrapping cloths, and curtains. Decorative resist dying and Shibori stitching techniques portrayed traditional  symbols and patterns on the dyed fabrics to respect  the Japanese culture for producing  these finely crafted  items.

Shibori Stitching  Sampler

With government support, fifty acres of indigo are still grown on the remote island of Shikoku to preserve the traditional ways of growing and dying with indigo.