WATANABE’S
At Watanabes, we pour our heart into every step, from soil preparation and indigo cultivation, to harvesting and drying the indigo leaves, making sukumo (indigo dye base), and even preparing the dye liquid and the dyeing process itself.
Fascinated by indigo dyeing, I have dedicated over 10 years to researching and creating with indigo in Tokushima. For me, who became an indigo dyer after a fateful encounter in Tokyo, realizing 'this is my calling,' this region is a major production center for 'sukumo,' the raw material for indigo.
The indigo, grown amidst abundant water and nature, is not merely a dye but a fermentation culture that thrives with microorganisms. At this Expo, I hope to convey the diverse values and stories of indigo, deeply intertwined with the region's history and culture, making it a place to explore possibilities for sustainable lifestyles and new designs. I look forward to interacting with everyone to connect indigo to the future.
― Kenta Watanabe, Indigo Dyer, Watanabe's