Photo: Takayuki Ishii of Awonoyoh

Indigo dye is one of the oldest dyeing methods in the world. It was used not only in ancient India, Egypt, and China but also in Central and South America and Africa. In Japan, indigo dyeing is known as Aizome. Its history goes all the way back to 8th century. The oldest Aizome cloth is still kept in Shosoin in Nara prefecture. From working clothes to formal attairs, Aizome dyeing has started being used widely in the Edo period (1603-1867). The British chemist Robert William Atkinson, who came to Japan at the beginning of the Meiji period(1868〜1912), admired the indigo blue seen here and there in the town and called it "Japan Blue". 

Takayuki Ishii from Awonoyoh is touring the United States this summer from Japan and will present his Indigo dye fabric collection at our Tateuchi community room from July 6th through July 30th.

Indigo dyeing: Katazome

The patterns in the fabrics below were created using a technique called Katazome. Indigo liquid is dyed with a fermented indigo plant called Sukumo. Stencils are made of Japanese paper coated with persimmon tannin, and glue for dye-proofing is a steamed mixture of rice glue and rice bran. All are made by natural materials. The indigo farmer and dyer, Takayuki Ishii, dyes with a very unique technique that uses multiple stencils to create gradations. Multiple stencils are used to represent living indigo. 

Indigo dyeing: Katazome

About Takayuki Ishii:

Awonoyoh, aka Takayuki Ishii, has studied shibori, katazome, Batik and other techniques relating to indigo. He farms indigo, collecting the leaves and producing sukumo. Sukumo is fermented indigo leaves and is used to build japanese style indigo vats. This process is disappearing with less than a dozen makers in Japan. Awonoyoh wrote a book, “The Way of Indigo”, to document this process. He currently owns a workshop in the mountainous area of Kanagawa Prefecture, where he runs an indigo dyeing company using traditional techniques and materials. 

Art Reception:

Admission is free all day on July 6th for our Free First Thursday. Come meet the artist and stay for the slide show, 6-7pm.

Final entry to the garden is 45 minutes before closing.