In the Edo period, indigo was known as “Japan Blue” and beloved as a color of daily life. Indigo-dyed cloth, handed down through generations, was an essential part of everyday living. The uniquely Japanese dye Sukumo (fermented indigo leaves) and the traditional fermentation method of Aizome (indigo dyeing) are cultural techniques passed down through a synergy of nature, invisible microorganisms, and the hands of farmers, indigo makers, and dyers.
In this intensive course, students will learn the traditional techniques of Japanese indigo dyeing with guest instructor Kenta Watanabe, invited by North House and the World Shibori Network Foundation. Based in Tokushima Prefecture, Kenta Watanabe is an indigo farmer and dyer who works across the full cycle—from preparing the soil, cultivating tadeai (Japanese indigo), and producing Sukumo, to dyeing with traditional fermentation vats. In this course, participants will gain hands-on experience with the full “soil-to-cloth” journey. We will also learn techniques such as wax-resist and katazome (stencil dyeing), as well as how microbial life supports vat fermentation.
Through Watanabe’s perspective—rooted in a vision of indigo as an expression of life in harmony with nature—participants will encounter the life force and quiet beauty at the heart of indigo dyeing. Materials include cotton, linen, silk, wool, and cotton thread. The materials fee covers multiple Sukumo vat builds and a variety of fabric samples for technique practice. Participants will also have the option to purchase a “Sukumo Indigo Vat Kit” (mini or small size), which Watanabe independently developed. The kit is designed for home use, and its application in the U.S. has been field-tested with support from the World Shibori Network Foundation.
Required Tools
