Ai, known as “Japan blue”, is the quintessential color of Japan, appreciated throughout the world. Its deep intensity comes from an elaborate manufacturing process developed from ancient times involving the repeated stages of fermentation and drying of the leaves of the Japanese indigo plant. Through a workshop you will see how ai-zome artisans apply this traditional technique (called “natural lye fermentation”) to create the most stunning shades of indigo blue. Apparently, there are only two indigo-dyeing workshops in Japan who use natural indigo and traditional technique, and most of them use chemical dyes mixed with indigo.