Discover the Timeless Art of Japanese Indigo Dyeing
Aizome Workshop 2025 | April 12 & 13 at EL Canek Kurashiki
Step into the rich world of Japanese indigo dyeing, or Aizome—a centuries-old tradition that originated from China and flourished during Japan’s Edo period as the “color of the people.” Known for its deep blue hue and natural antibacterial properties, indigo dyeing was historically used to prevent skin conditions and protect against poisonous insects.
At our upcoming Aizome Workshop, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how we craft our SH-01 linen shirt in collaboration with TKD Works, a linen fabric maker from Shizuoka. Designed by EL Canek founder Masayuki Kanatani, the shirt features unique elements such as an asymmetrical front button closure and hidden buttonholes on the sleeves. Each piece is carefully hand-dyed by skilled artisans, making every shirt one-of-a-kind.
The Indigo Dyeing Process
Indigo dyeing uses the power of nature. The indigo plant leaves, when exposed to air or water, transform into a vibrant blue dye called indigo. The process of dyeing allows for creative expression—the more times you dye the fabric, the deeper the color, and the more variation in pattern you can achieve.
For fresh leaf dyeing, known as 生葉染め (Namaha-zome), the leaves are blended with 10–20 times their volume in water, then strained to create a dye bath. Fabrics are gently soaked and aerated to trigger oxidation—the magical moment when the dye turns from green to deep blue. It’s essential to oxidize the fabric after dyeing, as indigo turns blue only when it reacts with air.
We’ll also explore the traditional fermentation-based method called “Hondate” or “Hell Date” (本建て/地獄建て), where indigo is reduced into a water-soluble state using fermented Sukumo (composted indigo leaves). This ancient process uses enzymes and time to unlock the full power of indigo—a truly time-honored technique passed down through generations.
Join Us for the Experience
On April 12 (Sat) & 13 (Sun), we’ll be hosting a special indigo dyeing event at our EL Canek Kurashiki store.
We’re honored to welcome natural dye artist Ms. Asayama, who will lead the workshop using both fresh-leaf and traditional fermentation techniques.
We’ll provide items like T-shirts, handkerchiefs, and stoles to dye, but you’re also welcome to bring your own pieces (shirts, sneakers, scarves, etc.) to transform with your personal touch.
Come feel the joy of hand-dyeing and immerse yourself in a piece of Japanese culture 🫶
Reserve Your Spot Now
🔗https://elcanekjeanslab.com/products/linen-sh-01?variant=40083523633223
📩Or DM us on instagram @elcanekjeanslab
藍の生葉染めの方法
伝統的な染色技術として日本でも古くから親しまれてきた藍染。
古来、中国から伝わり、江戸時代には庶民の色として親しまれました。殺菌作用が強く、染めた衣服で皮膚病や毒虫を防ぎました。
藍の持つ成分は、空気や水に触れることでインディゴ(青く染まる成分)に変化します
染める回数によって色の濃さを変えたり、模様をつけたり。工夫次第でオリジナリティを出すこともできます。
藍の生葉(葉のみ)に10〜20倍の水を加えてミキサーにかける。葉が多ければ、何回かに分けて繰り返す。ゴム手袋をして、漉し布で葉を漉し、染液をつくる。
染液に布を浸して、布全体に染み渡るように布をくゆらす。15分間浸す間に布を広げ、空中でなびかせ酸化させる。
※ 藍の成分は空気に触れると酸化して青く発色します。発色した後では生地に色がつかないので、発色する前に、生地に染液を染み込ませるようにして下さい。
エルカネックリネンシャツ-藍染。TKD Works様とコラボさせていただいた人気商品。追加料金で職人の手により藍染もさせていただきます。リネン100%で通気性も手触りも良く、初夏のこの季節におすすめの商品です。🍃真夏が始まる今の時期に大活躍間違い無し。ぜひ一枚いかがですか?お店にお立寄りの際はお気軽にご試着くださいませ。
NEWS
4月12日(土)、13日(日)の2日間、EL Canek倉敷店にて草木染め作家の浅山様にお越しいただき藍染めのワークショップを行います。Tシャツ、ハンカチ、ストールをご用意しておりますのでお気軽に遊びにいらしてください!何か染めたい物(シャツ、ハンカチ等)などがあれば持ち込んでいただいても大丈夫です。是非手染めの楽しさを体感してください🫶
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牛仔布制作中的熨烫艺术 - 看不见的工艺
向您问好。今年春天,樱花盛开,日本,特别是我们的仓敷市,被染成一片迷人的粉红色,我们邀请您来欣赏牛仔布制作的精湛工艺。
我们穿的每件衣服都是无数小时的精心制作的成果。在牛仔布制作领域,一个经常被忽视的工序是熨烫布料。这项看似简单的任务对于确保每条牛仔裤完美合身且外观精致起着至关重要的作用。
织物是通过以直角编织经线和纬线制成的。尽管纤维在垂直和水平方向上看起来是笔直的,但它们在制造过程中或折叠时往往会变形。这时熨烫就派上用场了。熨烫有助于纠正这些变形并控制收缩,使织物变得平滑,从而获得更美观的成品。
在我们的工作室,每一条牛仔裤都经过精心手工熨烫。这不仅是为了确保最终产品的质量,也证明了我们对工艺的承诺。正是这些细节使我们的牛仔裤不仅仅是一件衣服,而是一件艺术品。
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Announcing EL Canek’s "Made-to-Order" system
We are pleased to introduce our new pre-order system from AW 2024 at EL Canek. This initiative marks a significant advancement in our commitment to exceptional craftsmanship, sustainability, and responsible consumption.The Rationale Behind Pre-OrderAt EL Canek, our guiding principle is clear: "Handmake and deliver only what is needed, to those who need it." By adopting a fully made-to-order model, we ensure that each piece in our collection is tailored specifically for you. This approach not only minimizes waste but also supports the preservation and continuation of artisanal craftsmanship.
What You Can Expect
Customization and Craftsmanship: Our made-to-order system allows for customization, enabling you to own a truly unique piece. Whether it involves a subtle design adjustment or a special request, each item is meticulously crafted to meet the highest standards.Sustainable Practices: Our commitment to sustainability is at the core of our operations. By producing only what is necessary, we minimize our environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future. Each piece is created with a focus on quality, durability, and responsible production.
Pre-Order Process Overview
Delivery Timeline: Upon placing your order, you can expect to receive your item within approximately 4-10 weeks. We prioritize ensuring that each piece meets our rigorous quality standards, which may require additional time for completion.Order Changes: To maintain the integrity of our production process, we are unable to accept changes to a preorder after 48 hours. We encourage you to carefully review our sizing charts prior to placing your order to avoid any discrepancies.Delivery Information:- Delivery dates may vary depending on the item, and while we strive for accuracy, the estimated delivery date may be subject to slight adjustments.- For orders containing multiple items, delivery will be based on the latest item to be completed. We are unable to accommodate requests for individual deliveries within the same order number.- Additionally, we cannot accommodate specific delivery date and time requests for pre-ordered items.A New Chapter in Responsible Fashion
Our pre-order system represents a commitment to fostering a more sustainable and responsible fashion industry. By choosing EL Canek, you are not merely purchasing a product but investing in a piece that reflects exceptional craftsmanship and mindful production.We are excited to embark on this journey with you and look forward to delivering pieces that you will value for years to come.For further inquiries regarding the pre-order process, please do not hesitate to contact us. info@elcanek.jp
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音乐与生产力:牛仔裤制作的常规
在 EL Canek,我们对音乐的热爱与我们对手工制作牛仔裤的热情密不可分。我们的总裁 Canek 先生是一位真正的音乐爱好者,他喜欢爵士乐、R&B、复古日本流行音乐和复古灵魂乐等各种音乐类型。据 Canek 先生说,工作时听好音乐可以让他更加专注,工作效率更高。事实上,我们店里甚至播放唱片音乐来营造完美的氛围。
音乐和生产力之间的关系非常有趣。许多研究表明,听音乐可以提高注意力、改善情绪并激发创造力[^1][^2]。它是创造沉浸式和鼓舞人心的工作环境的强大工具。对于我们技艺精湛的工匠团队来说,音乐已经成为我们牛仔裤制作日常工作中不可或缺的一部分。
当我们精心手工制作每一条牛仔裤时,节奏优美的旋律和深情的和声引导着我们的双手,为我们的作品注入激情和艺术性。舒缓的曲调营造出一种流动感,让我们沉浸在创作过程中。无论是流畅的爵士乐旋律还是充满活力的复古日本流行音乐,音乐都能激发我们的想象力并提高我们的工艺水平。
我们相信音乐不仅能提高我们的生产力,还能为我们制作的牛仔裤增添一丝魔力。正如每首歌都在讲述一个故事,每条 EL Canek 牛仔裤都承载着伴随其制作的音乐精髓。它成为一种艺术形式的和谐融合,空气中的旋律与我们手中的面料交织在一起。
现在,我们邀请您加入这一和谐之旅。我们很乐意听听您对制作牛仔裤的音乐推荐。与我们分享那些能激发您灵感、激发您的创造力、让您在制作自己的项目时双手舞动起来的歌曲和艺术家。让我们创建一个播放列表来庆祝音乐和工艺的结合。
在 EL Canek,我们相信音乐能够提升我们的工作并丰富我们的生活。因此,让我们的旋律充满空气,我们将继续用爱、奉献和完美的配乐手工制作我们的牛仔裤。
请继续关注我们品牌的更多精彩更新。在社交媒体上关注我们,随时了解我们迷人的日本手工牛仔布世界。
祝您聆听愉快,制作牛仔裤愉快!
参考:
[^1]:“请不要停止音乐”:工作中使用音乐、满意度和绩效之间的关系
Domenico Sanseverino 、 Andrea Caputo 、* Claudio Giovanni Cortese和Chiara Ghislieri
Scott D. Lane,学术编辑:[ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9855069/ ]
[^2]: 音乐对创造性认知的影响
喇嘛伊萨 (Lama Issa) [ https://www.cornerstonelondon.com/2020/11/01/the-effect-of-music-on-creative-cognition/#:~:text=Ritter ]
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