The Story of Indigo – Ai no Monogatari
We got up at the crack of dawn. After watering the plants, and filling our tumbler with coffee, we made our way to Kurume city to see the Story of Indigo exhibition.
Ai is the Japanese word for Indigo and the hue of blue it makes is called Japan blue. Prior to the Edo period, Indigo was largely used by the upper classes to dye silk and was therefore largely out of reach for everyday people. However, that changed when a woman with a talent for textiles invented the technique used to add beautiful designs to indigo dyed cotton fabric in the early 1800s.
Den Inoue
Born the daughter of a rice merchant, Den Inoue had a talent for textiles and began learning how to make textiles as a child. By the time she was twelve, her ability to produce beautiful textiles was said to have been equal to, or perhaps better than many working professionals at that time. It is around this time that she discovered the technique to produce beautiful indigo dyed cotton.
By her 21st birthday, Den married and welcomed three children. Her increasing popularity and success allowed her to begin selling her own textiles and with the perfection of the Itajime technique, Den was able to create intricate designs which brought her even more success and prosperity.
However, her happiness would not continue as her husband would die of illness making her a widow before her thirtieth birthday. By her mid-forties, it was said that her apprentices numbered nearly 1000.
The exhibition
Guests were not allowed to photograph most of the exhibit but there were two spaces where photos were permitted.
I particularly liked this Edo period yukata.
Here’s an Edo period court lady’s coat.
This is a modern indigo dyed kimono. It was dyed by a third generation craftsman who has been recognized by the country as a living cultural asset.
On my way out, I picked up a few goodies at the museum souvenir shop.
Here are two pieces of Indigo dyed clothing from my closet.
