Morioka Craft Products

“Sukumo” is a natural indigo dye made of fermented indigo leaves that used on cotton and silk. The most well-known item is a loincloth made of 100% cotton. They all have auspicious designs including “koi,” “hyoutan-kara-koma,” and “crane and turtle.” They also make stoles, hand towels, and purses.

Old Nambu stencil dyeing has been passed down to the present since the Keicho era, when the Nambu family’s dye artisan developed it. They make more than just designs based on clothing worn by samurai families, and in modern days, the patterns and designs are used not only for kimono but also for modern life including bags, table centerpieces, also made with stencil patterns using tanned paper for stencil dyeing done by hand with traditional methods to allow you to enjoy vivid beauty and elegance with the Nambu stencils.

“Kosheru” means “to make” in the local Iwate dialect. The theme of this workshop is “art for everyday life,” and they design, produce, and sell interesting, beautiful items that are good for the environment around this theme. They have lots of items themed around Iwate including the Morioka dishcloth and Iwate dishcloth.

This shop specializes in Nambu Shikon Dyeing and Nambu Madder Red Dyeing. Shikon dyeing and madder red dying, which become more and more vivid with the passage of time, has been continued over generations, and has many fans throughout Japan.

Fermenting indigo plant leaves from the knotweed family for dyeing in the old fermented natural dyeing process is an old Japanese technique. Traditional hanten, samue, shirts, hats, and other textiles are sold here. There is also a hands-on dyeing class available.

This is a dyeing method utilizing the geothermal steam that is emitted from Matsukawa Hot Spring. The dilute hydrogen sulfide contained in the steam has a bleaching effect, making it possible to dye with many beautiful colors. Various items are dyed, including handkerchiefs, bags, and shirts.