I have a dream: to one day introduce the profound beauty of Japanese traditional arts to the young children in my care. It’s a dream that felt distant until recently, when I gifted myself a birthday experience I’ll never forget—a six-day deep dive into the heart of Tokyo’s craft scene.
This “Colourful Journey” was masterfully orchestrated by the dynamic duo of Aims from Indy Bindy Fabrics and Victoria of Biku Designs. To call them guides would be an understatement; they are a creative force, a cannon of artistic explosives, and their workshops are an essential portal into the soul of the city.
Our adventure began not with a whisper, but with a vat of vibrant blue. We traveled to Ome City for our first lesson in aizome, or indigo dyeing. Here, we learned the alchemy of sukumo—fermented indigo leaves—mixed with other ingredients to create the legendary “Japan Blue.” The factory was a sanctuary of exquisite, hand-dyed textiles, a hint of the depth to come.
But for our guides, a single art form was only the beginning.
We journeyed next to the looms of Takatsukimachi. It was here that we were introduced to the genius of Sawai Shin, a visionary artist and weaver whose work feels decades ahead of its time. Visiting his studio was a lesson in seeing threads not just as material, but as a medium for breathtaking innovation.
The days unfolded in a beautiful, creative blur. We crafted intricate Temari balls at Nona in Nishiogiminami and found ourselves lost in the textile-lover’s paradise of Shimokitazawa. At the Biku Designs Atelier, we dove into the world of Sashiko, the traditional art of functional stitching. Our group’s Western flair for “outside-the-box” thinking blended perfectly with our deep desire to learn the authentic techniques, allowing us to create our own unique pieces rooted in ancient tradition.
By the final two days, our fingertips were stained a permanent shade of blue—but our spirits were anything but. Our second-last stop was a pilgrimage to a true icon: Aikuma.
Established in 1818, Aikuma (a name combining Ai for indigo and Kuma, the founder’s name) began as an herbal medicine store before pioneering indigo dyeing in 1840. Standing in their original Asakusa building—once the skyscraper of its era, now nestled among modern giants—was a humbling experience. Here, we watched the magic of oxidation, our creations transforming from a shy green to a brilliant blue before our eyes. Each piece we made felt like a small miracle.
Our final act of creation was at Kata Kata in Tsutsujigaoka, where we learned katazome, the art of stenciling and dyeing. The husband-and-wife team, Takeshi Matsunaga and Chie Takai, use traditional methods to produce fabrics of mesmerizing intricacy. With every step—applying the rice-paste resist, laying down the dye—a new layer of wonder was revealed. I found myself uttering a continuous, soft stream of “wows,” a childlike awe returning with each finished stage. (I’m still waiting for my final pieces to arrive, and the anticipation is a delight in itself!).
What Will They Be?
This simple question became the mantra of our journey. It echoes the essence of our entire experience—a constant, thrilling state of surprise and discovery.
- What would our eyes see? The deep vats of indigo, the dazzling weave of a loom, the precise cut of a stencil.
- What would our hearts feel? The reverence for history, the joy of creation, the connection to the artists.
- What would our fingers touch? The coarse sukumo, the soft thread, the smooth paste of the katazome.
Every experience changes us, and this “Colourful Journey” has profoundly changed me. I signed up for a birthday gift, but I received so much more: a deep, enriching connection to Japanese arts and crafts, and the inspiring camaraderie of the incredible women who shared this experience.
I am now eagerly finishing the many projects I started, each stitch and dye a memory I can hold in my hands. This journey didn’t just teach me techniques; it ignited a creative spirit I am excited to continue exploring.
Thank you. ありがとう (Arigatou).
Biku Designs info:
Website: https://www.bikudesigns.com/
Youtube: https//www.youtube.com/@studio_biku
Instagram: www.instragram.com/bikudesigns/
Indy Bindy Fabrics info:
Website:https://www.indybindy.com.au
Instagram: www.instagram.com/indybindyfabrics/
