Akane-dyed Stole

Japanese Akane is an ancient dye that has been used for over a thousand years. Deeply familiar to the Japanese people, it is the very dye that once coloured the red of the Hinomaru, Japan’s national flag.

Traditionally, it was used to dye silk-blended fabrics with intricate woven patterns. In addition, artisans employed shibori (tie-dye) and gradual shading techniques on plain white fabric, creating beautifully complex designs for stoles and other textiles.