Traditional Indigo Fermentation with Wood Ash Lye – The "Kosoen" Brand

Ome City in Tokyo has long been known as a textile hub. A verse in the Manyoshu, Japan’s oldest poetry anthology, describes a scene where fabrics were laid out and washed along the Tama River. Historically, Ome was famous for a type of dyed textile known as "Omejima," which gained nationwide popularity and was said to have added vibrant hues to the streets of Edo. Omejima was created using a combination of indigo and plant-dyed threads, highlighting Ome’s rich background in indigo dyeing.Murata Senkogei (Kosoen) is dedicated to preserving and sharing this local dyeing culture with the world.

The company remains faithful to the Edo-period technique of Natural Indigo Lye Fermentation Vat—a traditional process that uses only natural ingredients without relying on chemical agents. While upholding this historical craft, Murata Senkogei also develops products that align with modern needs, ensuring the continued evolution of indigo dyeing.One of Kosoen’s signature techniques is Itajime (Board-Clamp Dyeing), where fabric or garments are sandwiched between wooden boards used for dyeing Murayama Oshima textile threads. This integration of tradition and tradition is transformed into our contemporary designs.