Regional Treasures: Akane Dye

Tokushima is famous for indigo plants and dye, but did you know we also cultivate another, more rare plant called “akane”?

 

In western Tokushima, you can participate in a 100% natural akane dyeing workshop. ✨

 

Akane dye was used in ancient times to create a deep, red colour, and used to dye things such as the Heike flags, and of course the sun symbol on Japan’s national flag, as well. Nowadays, reaching a deep red colour with akane can be costly because the plant is in such small production, so it’s often used as a pink dye for clothing.

We joined a workshop with farmers who cultivate “Awa Akane”, and got to try dyeing our own scarves.

 

Mine was an interesting mixture, as I added the yellow tones of sudachi juice, which made the colour deepen to more of a rosy-gold. (And the dye was quite fragrant and citrusy!) Nothing says “Tokushima” like a scarf dyed with sudachi juice! 😉

 

Online reservation

Akane Dyeing Experience with "Japan Akane," an Ancient & Mysterious Art