Aizumicho Historical Museum: Ai-no-Yakata

(Source : )

Ai-no-yakata is a museum that displays the famous Awa Ai (Awa indigo dying) known as JAPAN BLUE. It showcases traditional agricultural equipment used to grow the Awa Ai plant. The museum consists of 13 buildings, and two of them are registered as tangible cultural properties. The most remarkable characteristic of this facility is that you can experience Aizome (indigo dying). A popular course is making an Aizome handkerchief that takes only 20 minutes. Anybody can enjoy this experience. Various events by artisans are held irregularly.

Aizome Experience for Everybody

Visitors can experience Aizome using traditional dying liquid. The artisan will give you a comprehensible instruction, so even a first timer can make a beautiful piece of Aizome. A popular item is a handkerchief which can be finished in 20 minutes for 500 yen. They also offer other items, such as scarfs, shawls and bandanas.

One-of-a-Kind "JAPAN BLUE" Piece

The procedure of dying is: ①Choose a pattern. ②Tie the fabric according to the pattern. ③Soak the fabric into the dying liquid for about 30 seconds. ④Pull out the fabric. The fabric will turn from yellow to green in about one minute. Repeat this three times. ⑤After the fabric is dyed appropriately, rinse the fabric thoroughly with running water. ⑥Iron the fabric and it's done! Now you have a one-of-a-kind Aizome piece.

Display Corner About Aizome

In the display room of the facility, miniature paper models demonstrate the procedure of growing the Ai plants, the processing of the plants, and the marketing of the products. It also showcases traditional agricultural equipment, everyday tools, Aizome kimono and antique fabric. Visitors can learn the procedure of Aizome from artistic miniature models.