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Depending on the designs and functions of the finished products, which range from made-to-order pieces to original brand clothing and fabrics, Takarajima Senkou uses a variety of raw materials in its signature natural dyeing process. First, Takarajima Senkou’s speciality: Indian indigo. A plant of the legume family, it is more affordable than domestic Japanese indigo and has a higher purity, which allows the workshop to maintain a stable production volume. Other natural dyes are also used to produce a wide range of creative expressions — myrobalan and catechu for brown shades, sappanwood for dark red, and madder plants for light pink. Other techniques include first pretreating textiles with catechin and dyeing the fabric repeatedly with mud (which results in the accumulation of iron-based dye), and using Japanese sumi ink made of kneaded soot and nikawa (animal glue).

Unlike more stable chemical dyes, natural dyes create many unique variabilities in the control and dyeing processes. Working with such materials requires adequate knowledge and experience to deal with such fluctuations. For example, after indigo is fermented in an earthenware vat, it needs to be regulated through precise temperature control and occasionally “feeding” it sugar; the dye density is contingent upon the indigo solution’s condition. All dyeing is also done by hand, and unique patterns are created by arranging various resist-dyeing techniques that have been passed down since ancient times, including itajime (clamping fabric between wooden boards), shibori (tying fabric with bands), and hammer-dyeing. Takarajima Senkou is a one-of-a-kind workshop in that its production system enables the medium-volume production of naturally dyed textiles through the integration of handmade crafts with a quantified dyeing process and strict production control.

Until chemical dye was invented in the mid-19th century, natural dyes were the only available option. Compared to their chemical counterparts, natural dyes have some disadvantages such as susceptibility to color fading when washed and exposed to sunlight. However, this change of color over time can also provide an enjoyment unique to naturally dyed fabrics. These textiles can also be dyed over and over again, creating many different possibilities. Through this program, learn about the unique characteristics of natural dyes along with Takarajima Senkou’s approach to dyeing and efforts to promote this production method. You can experience the sustainable cycle of repurposing and reuse through dyeing your own used clothes and fabrics with natural Indian indigo. How are the clothes we wear every day made and dyed? This program brings to light these production process often taken for granted, and highlights a greater consciousness about traceability.

The dye products of Takarajima Senkou are beautiful not only in color but also design. In the first half of this experience, learn how these patterns are created by examining Takarajima Senkou’s works. Make your own original pattern by combining resist-dyeing techniques such as itajime, shibori, and folding. After the preparations are set, move to the dyeing studio full of natural indigo vats to learn about the raw materials for dyeing. After understanding the indigo fermentation and coloring process, begin dyeing. It’s a special sight to watch the colors change from a dark green-brown to a beautiful indigo blue after dyed fabrics are exposed to oxygen. Before dyeing your own clothes and fabrics, you can practice with a complimentary tenugui hand towel to hone your skills first.

After enjoying an indigo dyeing experience at Takarajima Senkou’s workshop, which is usually not open to the public, head to Takarajima Soko, about a 10 minute walk away. An old rice warehouse that was renovated and opened in 2020, the studio shop stocks, exhibits, and sells Takarajima Senkou’s original brand products. Enjoy an exclusive tour of Takarajima Soko and its variety of naturally dyed products. If you wish, you can also do some shopping during this time. Take a dive into Takarajima Senkou’s world.