Ai Indigo Shokunin Iroiro 45 - Tale of Craft vol.1

The journey of Ai Shokunin Iroiro 45 began with encounters with indigo artisans across Japan.
Each region has its own unique climate, water, soil, and shades of indigo.
And just as nature varies, so do the artisans—their philosophies, techniques, and personal nuances make every creation one of a kind.

In this journal, we delve into the craftsmanship behind Ai Shokunin Iroiro 45 products, revealing their depth and character.
Creating Denim That Feels as Light and Strong as a Rush Mat:
This was the vision that sparked the making of Goza Denim.

The key material? Washi—traditional Japanese paper. Known for its long, intertwining fibers, washi proved to be the ideal choice for recreating the texture of rush grass (igusa), the primary material in tatami mats. By tearing washi into strips, twisting them tightly into yarn, and weaving it into denim, we crafted a fabric unlike any before—rugged, textured, and strikingly strong.
The Ancient Art of Mud-Indigo Dyeing from Amami Oshima:
The dyeing process employs a rare and ancient technique from Amami Oshima: dorozome (mud dyeing).

First, the yarn is dyed with indigo. Then, it undergoes repeated dyeing in a brew of sharinbai (Yeddo hawthorn) extract and iron-rich mud from the island’s paddies. The tannins in sharinbai react with the iron in the mud, transforming the indigo into a deep, almost black hue—a color deeply rooted in Amami’s dyeing traditions.

While conventional dorozome aims for a jet-black finish, we sought to capture the nuanced gradation of aged, timeworn vintage fabric. Through multiple rounds of indigo and mud dyeing, we carefully guided the hues, allowing glimpses of indigo to emerge from the depths of black, resulting in an unparalleled deep, shadowed blue.
This series of dresses is available at our New York Crosby store. For inquiries, please feel free to contact us.
【 Ai Shokunin Iroiro 45 - New York Crosby 】

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