“Study Trip / Ibuki Kikuchi”

The Aoyama staff, who arrived in Kyoto for the SOU•SOU 20th anniversary event on March 8th, joined the Kyoto staff Chiba the next day, and a total of 12 people went to the factory training.

I really want to see the work process with my own eyes! My wish came true, and I visited the factories of Fujitasenen of Ainasen and Mr. Tabata Tie-dye of Tabata Shibori.

Mr. Fujita's Ainasen is the world's first dyeing technique.


The protective gear, kendo uniform, and hakama that I use in my kendo training are also indigo dyed, but when I take off the new ones after training, my whole body is dyed blue. The color fading will subside as you use it, but the new ones are noticeable, and your hands will turn blue just by touching them.
I had always thought that indigo would fade and bleed, so I wondered why Mr. Fujita's products had white areas.

Mr. Fujita changes the density of the indigo used in the dye to create shades of color, and adjusts the colors so that they stick to the fabric.
It does not mean that the color will not fade at all, but it will be an item that you can enjoy for a long time with the natural color fading.
After visiting the factory, I became even more passionate about indigo dyeing.
(By the way, President Fujita also does kendo, so I feel a sense of familiarity with him.)

The next person I went to was Mr. Tabata.
I really like the shibori Snowflakes and Kisaragi Poncho dots.


The place I visited was a workshop in a renovated house in a residential area.
The work of squeezing does not make a loud noise and it is a manual work, so there is no problem even in a residential area.
The fabric is folded, squeezed, and dried in the house, and the dyeing is done in the garage.

In the workshop on the second floor, the floor is filled with large rolls of white fabric, and dyed fabrics are hung all over the room to dry.
When I saw the actual site where the product is made through such a process, I became more and more attached.
However, the number of people who carry out this kind of traditional craft is steadily decreasing, and I hear that the technique may eventually die out, and I am worried that there will be no more shibori. I want the students who helped me to do their best.

Now.
I studied indigo dyeing and shibori in training,
“I have no choice but to try this myself!”
I decided to come to

【Wearing items】
Konsei Tie-dye Cotton-linen Blend Basket Weave Naginata Shirt Dress / large navy Dark Blue polka × White
SOU・SOU × x Fujitasenen Ainasen Scarf／/ Alternate
Asai Tie-dye Felted Shawl sword tip/ Hand-dyed Gradation Dark Blue x Royal Purple

Kurashiki.

I decided to go on a trip to Okayama for 2 nights and 3 days, and as Melody to pack in my schedule as usual, I came across the words ``Squeezing experience''!
This must be fate!
I made Pre-order and went.

The location is Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter.
Tell us the design you want and we will work with your advice.
the image i envisioned

Half Snowflakes and half polka dots.
To the teacher
"It's difficult to squeeze the polka dots after folding Snowflakes."
I was told that, but when I was told that, I suddenly wanted to try it.


It takes a lot of head and strength.
How many times along the way? I didn't understand it, and I spread it out and redo it.
Ready made

It looks like you made a mistake folding it.
But I am very satisfied that it is quite good for the first time.
I earnestly hoped that the technique of shibori would be inherited.

From many women in Bikan Historical Quarter
"Nice clothes!"
I was called out and pulled my sleeve.
There is also a shop by Marugo, who makes SOU•SOU crotch and Round Toe Tabi Shoes Tabi Socks.

It was an interesting training trip, meeting Kyoto staff who happened to be in Kurashiki, and studying swords at the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum.

What should I experience next?

(Kikuchi)