Database: Indigo Dye

Extracted from the leaves of the indigo plant, indigo is one of the oldest vegetable dyes. It is believed to have been introduced to Japan from China via the Silk Road. The techniques and production of this dye are deeply rooted in the history of Japan. Initially used for court clothing and imperial objects, indigo dye then spread widely among the warrior class during the Middle Ages, where its production was developed. In the Middle Ages, artisans were responsible for the entire production process, from cultivation to harvest, from fermentation to dyeing the fabric in a vat. This work was traditionally carried out by women. The indigo vats were lined up and filled with water mixed with wood ash. The indigo dye was prepared by heating the vats and introducing lime. At the end of the 16th century, on the island of Shikoku, Tokushima fief specialized in the cultivation indigo, a culture they would both protect and encourage. Furthermore, it was in this time period that indigo dye became widely spread among the population. With the expansion of cotton cultivation during the Edo period the use of this dye became even more popular.