Samurai Blue (侍青) is known as: Indigo, “Color of Love” or “Japan Blue”.
It still shapes the Japanese aesthetic perception nowadays. The color is still used in a lot of items such as kimonos, towels, Noren curtains, blue jeans. Indigo clothing and blankets are still a traditional gift for newborn babies because it’s believed that the natural dye will protect the child from illness.
Benefits of natural indigo dying (Aizome)
Aizome (藍染 • あいぞめ) is the traditional art of dyeing clothing with Japanese Indigo (plants also known as Indigo Naturalis, Indigofera tinctoria, Ísatis tinctória). This process granted an incredible amount of benefits:
• Strengthened fibers of the fabric
• Insects and snakes repelling effect
• UV protective effect
• Anti-inflammatory properties that help wounds and injuries to heal
• Provides skin relief for people suffering from eczemas
• It’s an odor-preventing dye
• Flame retardant properties
Discover where to book your dying experience in Japan (in English)
Disclaimer: links and activities in this article are not affiliate and I don’t earn anything from them.
Read – Samurai Blue (侍青): Indigo, the color of Love
1. BEST LIVING JAPAN [TOKYO, MINATO]
Best Living Japan offers classes about “Itajime Shibori” with Aizome technique on linen cloths.
- For dummies and advanced artists.
- You can create your own scarf or home decor or book a party to work in a group on a single piece of linen 1 mt long.
- PRICES: 6500-7500 ¥ (50 – 58 Euro)
2. WANARIYA [TOKYO, TAITO]
Enjoy workshops (45-60 min.) at Wanariya .
- For adults or children (4+ y.o.)
- You’ll have the chance to dye a different kind of items as t-shirts, canvas, pouches, towels, scarves and more.
- PRICES: 2000 – 9000 ¥ (15 – 70 Euro)
3. NIHON MINKA-EN [KAWASAKI]
Experience Aizome at the Nihon Minka-en Kawasaki (known as Kawasaki Municipal Japanese Folk House).
- Beginner-friendly workshop of 90 min
- You can bring your own fabric or choose between plain handkerchief, bandana or a tote bag.
- PRICE 500-2500 ¥ (5 – 25 Euro)
4. HIGETA INDIGO DYEING HOUSE [TOCHIGI]
At the Higeta Indigo Dyeing House you can experience an Aizome workshop in a space built in the late 1700s (Edo period) for this purpose. Here you can discover the 72 dyeing vats, used to produce 32 different shades of indigo.
- PRICE FREE (WORKSHOP IN JAPANESE ONLY! Website in English with clear explainations)
- You can visit the building for free (reservation recommended)
Read – Ao (青): when Blue was Green and Violet
I wish you a wonderful Aizome experience!
