Inspired by the rich emotions of the Japanese people, the colors known as "Japanese hues" have been cherished and passed down through generations. These shades evoke warmth, familiarity, and a deep, calming presence. As part of our 45th-anniversary collection, we crafted denim using these symbolic hues, Natural indigo and madder red(AKANE-IRO). For the Natural indigo in the warp threads, we used hand-dyed yarns colored with Japan's renowned traditional technique, the "Awa Sho Ai" method. This intricate process involves around 30 rinses, revealing the true depth of the indigo. With each wash, any discordant tones are gently washed away, allowing a profound, harmonious color to emerge over time.
Meanwhile, the weft yarn is dyed with the natural plant dye "Akane" (Japanese madder). The history of Akane dyeing in Japan is ancient; there are records of Queen Himiko offering Akane-dyed textiles as gifts, and during the era of Prince Shōtoku, only nobility were permitted to wear this distinguished color. In the Meiji period, the red used for the newly adopted national flag, the "Hinomaru," was also created using Akane dye.
This "Hinode Awa Ai Denim" combines the deep indigo produced by the traditional *Awa Sho Ai* dyeing method with a hint of red from natural plant-based dyes, creating a rich, reddish-indigo hue. Known as *Ni-Ai(2-indigo)*, this color is one of Japan’s traditional colors, dating back to the Heian period, where it was exclusively reserved for noble attire and forbidden for common use. Born from Japan’s heritage of exquisite colors, this denim embodies both elegance and refinement, allowing you to appreciate the beauty of Japan's traditional hues to the fullest.
![[D7222] STUDIO D'ARTISAN DENIM WORK CAP](http://klaxon-store.com/cdn/shop/products/d7222-1.jpg?v=1674019534&width=533)