FEATURED EVENT
INDIGO DYEING WORKSHOP
| A COLOR I NAMED BLUE
Join us for an indigo dyeing workshop at the JICC! Part of a two-part series on indigo, in this workshop participants will learn about the production and history of indigo in Japan and dye their own handkerchiefs using shibori-zome (絞り染め; tie-dyeing) techniques.
Ai (藍; indigo) has been cultivated for over a thousand years in Japan, where it is admired for its rich, robust color as well as its insect-repellant and deodorizing properties. Indigo-dyeing reached its peak in the Edo period (1615–1868), when artisans across Japan refined an array of eye-catching aizome (藍染; indigo-dyeing) techniques, from the delicate mottling of kanoko (鹿の子), inspired by the dappled fur of fawns, to the bold geometry of itajime (板締め). Indigo remains hugely popular today and has become synonymous with Japanese fashion thanks to those who have worked hard to preserve and modernize the ancient craft of aizome in craft centers like Kyoto and Kurashiki.
Registration for this event will be limited but we also invite you to a Short Film Screening with Director's Talk the same evening, where Japanese indigo dyeing and Austrian Blaudruck will be highlighted.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The workshop will run for approximately 2 hours and is designed for adults.
Please wear appropriate clothing – indigo splashes will stain. All materials are provided; however we encourage participants to bring any of the following objects to customize their shibori designs: rubber bands, buttons, bottle caps, pebbles, binder clips, and clothes pegs.
This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required for security purposes and due to limited seating.
PHOTO & VIDEO POLICY: The Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC), Embassy of Japan reserves the right to use any photograph/video taken at any event sponsored by JICC, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. JICC may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted by JICC including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, newspapers, magazines, television, social media, websites, etc. To ensure the privacy of individuals and children, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject, parent or legal guardian. A person attending a JICC event who does not wish to have their image recorded for distribution should make their wishes known to the photographer/videographer, and/or the event organizers.