On the Map 2022, #3 Aibatake (琉球藍染め 藍ばたけ) in Okinawa, Japan

This is a story about Aibatake Studio which is a Ryukyu indigo dyeing & farming studio located in Okinawa, Japan.

1. Location & Environment

Our region has a subtropical climate, and our field is surrounded by trees in the mountains. The indigo plants we are growing need damp and shade conditions, and can’t stand cold and sea wind. We shade our field with trees or shading nets, and take care not to dry the soil.

This type of indigo plant can grow naturally under banana trees or in the thicket, if conditions are right.

私たちの地域は亜熱帯地方に属し、畑は木々に囲まれた山の中にあります。

私たちが育てている藍はジメジメした日陰を好み、寒さと潮風が苦手です。

私たちは樹木や遮光ネットで遮光をし、なるべく土が乾かないように気を付けています。

この藍はバナナの樹の下や薮の中など、条件が整えば自生します。

All photos were submitted by Yumiko Fuji from Aibatake

2. Indigo plants & practices

We are growing indigo plants called Ryukyu-ai(琉球藍) in Japanese.

Ryukyu-ai means Assam-indigo in English.

The scientific name is Strobilanthes Cusia. It is a plant of the Acanthaceae family.

This plant is mainly cultivated in subtropical regions and in highlands in tropical regions.

私たちは日本語で「琉球藍」とよばれる植物を育てています。

琉球藍は英語でアッサムインディゴといいます。

学名は Strobilanthes Cusia、キツネノマゴ科の植物です。

琉球藍は、主に亜熱帯地域と熱帯地域の高地で栽培されています。

Harvest

When Ryukyu-ai grows about 60cm tall, we cut the roots of the stem and harvest.

The harvest season happens twice a year, around June and October. Harvested stumps regenerate and are harvested again in the next season.

We harvest around 40 - 50kg at one time, and 15 or more times in one season if it's a bumper crop.

収穫

私たちは畑の琉球藍が60㎝位の高さに育つと、茎の下方から切り取って収穫します。

収穫時期は年に2度、6月頃と10月頃です。収穫後に残った切り株は、また再生し、次の時期に収穫されます。

１回の収穫量は40～50kgで、１収穫期中に多い時で１５回以上収穫をします。

Making indigo paste / 泥藍づくり

Harvested indigo plants are immersed in water and fermented.

Fermentation is carried out over 1 to 3 days, depending on water temperat