AWAJI Ai Land Project (Onokoro Ai)

Japanese traditional color "Adigo" - JAPAN BLUE - Indigo dyeing experience with the living dye "Onokoro Ai" made of organic fertilizer without pesticides on Awajishima

"Onokoro Ai" is a "living dye" made from Tateai, a raw material, without using pesticides or chemical fertilizers on the vital soil of Awajishima, and with the aim of creating indigo crops that can be added to the natural circulation as much as possible.

Using only raw materials taken from the natural world, such as spring water, wood ash, and fusuma from Awaji, dyeing solutions are completed with the help of fermentation of microorganisms. This natural dyeing not only gives comfort and gentle protection to us wearing it, but also has an earth-friendly sustainableity.

The pigment created by natural fermentation by the power of microorganisms has a high robustness and produces a very beautiful color. In addition, it strengthens the fabric and protects itself from antibacterial effects and ultraviolet rays, and brings out the essential elements of indigo dyeing firmly.

The experience includes a tour of Aihata on the premises and a commentary on the process of making dyes from sowing seeds, and you can see indigo dyeing using traditional fermented dyes that are carefully dyed indigo.

A little different from chemical dyes, how about a trip to feel the indigo of natural dyes using raw materials grown in Awajishima, which is rich in climate, and the unique deep blue terroir.

STEP01 – Select the desired pattern from the pattern sample and pattern using specialized tools.
STEP02 – Soak in dyeing liquid and indigo dyeing. You can dye it many times and finish it to your favorite color.
STEP03 – It is finished by washing with water.

You can take home the finished work.

Indigo has been popular not only as a dye but also as a medicinal plant since ancient times, and it is said that it has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, deodorizing and deodorizing effects. In addition, indigo is also an organic product. Due to these characteristics, there are many collaboration products with food and drink such as chocolate, bread, herbal salts, and chai, in addition to soaps and room sprays that can be expected to have medicinal properties using indigo.

About living dyes and circulation

<Making fields>
We use organic resources such as crepe casus, bamboo chips, and waste fungal beds to create soil in the field.
The indigo grows when the roots are firmly rooted in the rich soil.

<Making indigo dyeing solution>
Only the leaves of the cut indigo grass are sorted and dried, and during the winter, watering and turning are repeated dozens of times and fermented for about 100 days. It becomes a dye called "sokumo".

The resulting oak is mixed with ashes made of wood ash such as oak and oak (aku) to promote the activity of microorganisms. By reducing action by fermentation, indigo dyes that do not dissolve in water are melted out, and indigo dyeing is possible.

It is said to make a dye.

<Maintenance of indigo dye solution>
Because the action of microorganisms affects the appearance of the indigo color, we use "fusuma" and "shell ash" to create an environment where it is easy to operate and maintain.
The outer skin, which is made when milling wheat, is bran, which is called rice. Minerals such as dietary fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc serve as food for microorganisms and encourage fermentation.

Shell ash made by baking shells is used to adjust the condition when fermentation progresses, and the indigo dyeing solution is calmed down.

About the AWAJI Ai Land Project

The raw material named “Onokoro” is Tate-tadeai, which is a raw material. We make fermented dyes from our own, and perform live dyeing with the help of microorganisms. This project aims to become a local industry through community-based activities on the theme of dyeing and manufacturing, various experiences, and exploring the possibilities of food indigo spun from indigo.

In the 2021 NHK Taiga drama "But the Blue Sky", I participated as a production and guidance for scenes related to Ai.
I was excited about the history of indigo that the color of indigo was fascinated by the painting of the dyed fabric fluttering, and the color of indigo even in the Edo period.

I hope that you will sympathize with the natural cycle and activities that circulate people and thoughts that you value, and add a rich color to your life with a shining blue color like the earth like the sea. You.