Japan Indigo Workshop - How to dye AIZOME Blue (Fresh Leaf & Fermented)

Japanese Aizome 藍染 Indigo is everywhere in Japan. The traditional process of using Aizome (indigo) leaves in a fermented version for darker blues and fresh leaves for a lighter blue is an all-natural, sustainable, circular economy process worthy of more support and attention.
This natural indigo dye process can still be seen in Japan often found near Sake Breweries. The natural process almost completely died (not dyed) out in the last 20 years, however, as many textile manufacturers shifted to chemical dyes instead of natural indigo dyes.
Areas where indigo plants grow well, especially in Tokushima on Shikoku island, however, remained strong hubs of diehard indigo dye enthusiasts.
As a tourism product, Indigo workshops are the perfect example of a sustainable product which can create further destination appeal and income while perpetuating a traditional Japanese cultural art, protecting people who use the dye and the surrounding communities, as well as not causing any harm to the clean integrity of Japan's waterways.
In this way, promoting Indigo workshops is as perfect an example of sustainable tourism as you can get in Japan.
Big thanks to Hana Victoria who appears in the video joining us for the workshop- check out her channel for new original music in Japanese and English: / @hanavictoria
Natural Indigo Dye workshop costs only 1,000 yen per person in Saijo but it is only possible to book in Japanese by telephone at the moment and workshops fill up fast. The instructors speak a little English, and it is possible to follow along with what the instructor is doing. There is information about the workshop location here in Japanese:
www.hiroshima-...
This workshop in Saijo (Higashi-Hiroshima) with Maegaki-sensei is 1,000 yen per person and can be booked by telephone for a workshop on Saturdays: 082-423-2021
Companies which are mentioned in the video using natural indigo dye on their products and staff uniforms:
+ AkaIto Coffee: • Coffee, Toast & Upcycl...
+Anything Maekake Aprons: • Sustainable Business J...
+ FOO (vegan) chocolate factory & shop: • Hiroshima's Women-Empo...
#indigoworkshop #japaneseculture #sustainabletourism #circulareconomy #sustainability
Japanese version 日本語バージョン： • サステイナブル（持続可能）な藍染

[@seeksustainablejapan]

Revisting a fun and interesting indigo workshop video I did 4 years ago with a different hairstyle :) I hope to have time to make more workshop videos again like this soon!

[@KyushuTrail]

I’d like to try it. I love that fresh indigo light blue color.

[@seeksustainablejapan]

Me too- I'd love to set up fresh Aizome leaf dye workshops around Japan- such a wonderful, fun, simple & sustainable process.

[@seeksustainablejapan]

Welcome to the Indigo (Aizome) workshop video - have you ever tried it in Japan? I'd love to hear about your experiences, I loved it and hadn't realized how fantastic an example of sustainability it is :)