About Nanbu Shikone
Nanbu shikone is natural dyeing using shikon (the root of the murasaki plant, Lithospermum erythrorhizon) passed down in the Nanbu region of Iwate Prefecture, a traditional plant dyeing technique protected by the Nanbu domain. Silk and cotton are dyed in the purple color extracted from murasaki plant roots, characterized by a subdued deep purple and soft natural coloring derived from plant matter. Years of experience are required to delicately control the intensity of purple through mordant blending and number of dyeing cycles, and the deep natural hue that cannot be reproduced with chemical dyes is prized by enthusiasts. Craftspeople around Morioka City and Shizukuishi-cho continue to preserve the traditional dyeing technique today.
Techniques & Materials
Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.
Techniques
Materials
Where to see & buy
Workshop names are in Japanese; links go to their official sites.
- 南部紫根染工房（産地にご確認ください）