Brief introduction of my indigo vat and I

This is the very first post in this blog, so I don't know where to start.....Anyway let me introduce myself briefly.

I'm Makiko who is Japanese living in Naruto, Tokushima prefecture. IndigoBlue4U is my indigo dyeing studio near my house which I opened in 2022. I named IndigoBlue4U with the wish that I share the world of indigo with you.

I've been indigo dyeing and shibori stitching from small pieces to large tapestries. It has been a habit, sometimes like meditation, and now I also feel a sense of mission to keep this good old handwork which has been passing down for a long time in Japan.

Luckily, I got a job to revive indigo in a small town. I learned how to plant indigo, make indigo dye called Sukumo, fermented indigo leaves, and vatting for three years, then I decided to have my own studio.

The top picture shows my 14-day old indigo vat. There are thousands ways to prepare indigo vat, and I respect almost all if the owner says it is natural. My way is very old traditional method which has been passing down since the Edo period. Sukumo, hard wood lye, lime powder, Japanese sake, and wheat bran are ingredients with power of fermentation make beautiful indigo dyeing liquid.

The top picture shows my 14-day old indigo vat. The bubbly part is called indigo flower which tells me its condition. It is dark reddish blue and shiny. The surface is covered with something green. If you know how to prepare indigo vat, you'll notice its condition.

I welcome people who love shibori and indigo dyeing from all over the world. To relax and enjoy indigo, my FRIENDS can stay upstairs in my house, so I'm preparing for it.

I'll write the details on this blog.

Please check my FB, instagram for the latest daily life.