A beautiful afternoon workshop at @watanabes_japan 💙 I am endlessly grateful for their sharing of the tradition & history of Aizome, how they lovingly care for their Aizome Sukumo Indigo, tour of the beautiful farm and processing site, and an immersive experience with new friends (and animal friends 🐐).
I brought a shibori piece I prepared for the workshop from Awonoyoh’s Shibori subscription, Taka Ishii Shibori 03. It is a beautiful pattern that is also reversible. I stitched the pattern before we left for Japan and brought it with the intention of dyeing it at Watanabes because of the different Indigo vat they use. At home I’ve been using powdered Indian Indigo, but Japan’s Sukumo vat dyeing is an entirely different experience. Sukumo Indigo is a fermented vat, the way it’s created and maintained is an art in itself. The vat that I dyed with has been in use for about a year at that point, compared to the Indigo vats I make at home which I usually only maintain for a month or two. The organic nature of the vat, the way it smells, and the feel of the Indigo against my hands is entirely different.
I was also appreciative to see their Sukumo making warehouse. I have been taking an online course through Awonoyoh to learn how to make Sukumo- from seed to dye. I have been successful at growing Indigo, but the scale of the amount of dried Indigo needed to complete the Sukumo has been daunting. It’s nice to see the special set up at Watanabes and have a better understanding of the final steps.
I left with a stunning textile, enormous joyful smile, & stained hands. It’s such an honor and fills my heart to see their commitment to slow craft- true masters of their artistry.
