Indigo is a deep blue derived from the indigo plant.

In Japan, indigo dyeing has been practiced since ancient times, becoming widely integrated into clothing and everyday life.

The leaves of the indigo plant are fermented to create dye, and by repeatedly dyeing cloth and thread, a range of blues emerges, from pale blue to deep indigo.

With each successive layer of dye, the color deepens. In the light, it reveals the transparency of blue; in shadow, it takes on a quiet depth.

In Japan, indigo dyeing has been used not only for clothing but also for noren curtains and other textiles in everyday life, becoming closely intertwined with Japanese sensibilities and a sense of beauty.

The name ai-iro, meaning indigo blue, has also been passed down to the present day as a traditional Japanese color name.

During the Edo period, indigo dyeing became widely used for everyday clothing and household items, and indigo gradually became one of the colors emblematic of Japanese life.

Meanwhile, indigo has been used as a dye in many parts of the world since ancient times, conveying the beauty of blue across different cultures under the name indigo.

Japanese ai and indigo from around the world have their own distinct histories and techniques, yet share the same beauty of a blue born from plants.

Deeply layered indigo is a color whose beauty grows richer with time, quietly connecting tradition with contemporary design.