Cotton Shoulder Bag, Kakishibu & Indigo Dyed

This cotton shoulder bag is hand-dyed using traditional Japanese methods. Kakishibu (fermented persimmon tannins) is layered with indigo to create a richly mottled surface of browns, blues, and greens. The front pocket is dyed separately using bengala, an iron-rich clay pigment historically used in Japanese textiles. Tajima Masayoshi (Ai Mai) creates each unique bag in his studio on the outskirts of Tokyo. Natural variations in color and texture are part of the hand-dyeing process and the character of the piece.