Nagao Orifu Indigo Products

Hailing from Tokushima on Shikoku island, a prefecture famous for the production of natural indigo, Nagao Orifu produce gorgeous handcrafted and hand dyed textile products. 

Awa Ai is said to have brought this cultivation method to Japan from China around 900 AD, after former feudal lord Hachisuka recognized the climate in the Tokushima’s Yoshino River valley as suitable for Indigo cultivation.

In indigo dyeing, nutrients such as alkali and glucose are added to “Sukumo” (harvested, dried, and fermented indigo leaf) and left to soak for a week. The natural dyeing liquid forms during this period, and deeper, brighter and vivid dyeing colours can be created the more times this process is repeated. 

Awa Shijira-ori, the technique used to give these items their beautiful finish, is attractive for its unevenness crimps as it adds unique texture and beauty. Vivid crimps emerge by immersing innovatively woven cloth in boiling water of about 75℃ and then drying. It has a pleasant feel, cool and light because of crimps. It made by cotton fabric, so that has excellent water absorbency, and perfect for summer cloth.