1 18

Sacoche / Amami Oshima mud dye / Circle tie / Cowhide

Sacoche / Amami Oshima mud dye / Circle tie / Cowhide

型番

DKE-S-01
€110,95 EUR
€110,95 EUR
Sale Sold out
Tax included.

手技

Amami Oshima Mud Dyeing Circle Shibori

産地

Oshima District, Kagoshima

鞣し

Tannin tanning

サイズ

W140×D30×H190
View full details

We use tanned leather, so you can enjoy the changes that occur over time as you use it.

Mud dyeing is a dyeing method used in the world-famous traditional industry of Amami, a part of Kagoshima Prefecture, "Authentic Oshima Tsumugi," with a history of 1,300 years. Mud-dyed leather is leather that is dyed a dark brown color using dye made by boiling and naturally fermenting chips of the "techi" tree (scientific name: wheel plum) that grows naturally on the island, and mud that is rich in iron and has small, round particles that are only found in certain areas of Amami. You can enjoy the miraculous patterns and unique individuality, such as deep black and brown hues and tie-dyed patterns that are different from chemical dyes.

[Circular aperture]
The leather is folded into pleats of equal width, and then wrapped with rubber or string and dyed to create a contour pattern. The unique ring pattern is created by the color of the original leather material, the brown color of the techi wood, and the black-brown color of the mud.

This product is unique due to individual differences in dyeing, so it may not be the same as the product in the image. Please note that products with patterns in particular may be rendered differently from the pattern in the image.

About specific commercial transactions

Returns Policy

Inquire about this product

-Since this product is made from natural materials, each individual product will have different details due to differences in color, streaks, finish, etc.
- Color fading or transfer may occur due to friction or water leakage.
- Please note that if the product is in contact with resins such as polyvinyl chloride for a long period of time, it may become sticky or cause color transfer.
Care instructions
- Please be careful not to get it wet as this may cause the shape to change or mold to grow.
- Please avoid using alcohol-based solvents such as thinner or benzene.

＜ international shipping ＞
・Please note that this item will be shipped via EMS, so additional customs fees will be charged when you receive the item.

Mud dyeing creates miraculous patterns

Amami Oshima Mud Dyeing

Mud dyeing is a dyeing method used for the world-famous traditional industry of Amami, which belongs to Kagoshima Prefecture, "Authentic Oshima Tsumugi," with a history of 1,300 years. Mud-dyed leather is leather that is dyed a dark brown color using a dye made by boiling and naturally fermenting chips of the "techi" tree (scientific name: wheel plum) that grows naturally on the island, and mud that is rich in iron and has small, round particles that are only found in certain areas of Amami. Mud-dyed leather, which was created over the years to explore new possibilities for dyeing leather while preserving traditional craft techniques, expresses miraculous patterns and unique individuality, such as deep black and brown hues and shibori patterns that are different from chemical dyes.

Amami Oshima and Mud Dyeing

Kagoshima Prefecture/Amami Oshima is a place where untouched nature remains.
Mud dyeing has been practiced for a long time on this island, located close to the main island of Okinawa. All processes are carried out by hand by artisans on the island, and mud dyeing is one of the island's important industries.

A tannic red wine grown in sea breeze and fertile soil.

Mud dyeing is based on plant dyeing, which uses the techi tree (wheel plum) that grows naturally on the island. The techi tree harvested on Amami Oshima contains a high concentration of tannic acid due to the strong sea breeze and fertile soil, making it extremely suitable for dyeing.
*The red part in the center is tannin.
*Because techi trees are cut down leaving about 1m of their trunk,
After 7-8 years it can be used again as a dye.

The deep red soil of Amami Oshima

The mud from Amami Oshima used in mud dyeing has characteristics such as fine particles, roundness, and abundance of naturally occurring iron. Furthermore, because the soil is red clay, which is rich in naturally occurring iron, it reacts with the abundant dyed tannins, changing the color from brown to blackish brown. It is this iron mordant that expresses the unique colors of Amami. The ground in areas such as rice paddies is dug to create depressions, and the surrounding mud is poured in to increase the concentration of iron. The fine particles are the result of the action of microorganisms; the rice paddies used for dyeing are located at the foot of steep mountains, and mineral-rich water flows in from the mountains, providing food for the microorganisms, which become active.

Repeatedly rub with hands

To ensure that the mud-dyed leather is dyed in the desired pattern, each piece is tied by hand. With years of experience, the craftsmen pinch, fold, and tie the pleats in different ways depending on the dyeing pattern. This manual work is what gives the leather its unique personality and creates miraculous patterns.

Binding and folding by hand

The leather to be dyed is hand-tied one by one to match the desired pattern. With years of experience, the craftsman pinches, folds, and ties the pleats, and changes the tying method depending on the dyeing pattern. It is this manual work that expresses unique individuality and brings out the miraculous patterns.

about this leather

Indigo dye craftsman

Junichi Higo

In around 1965, he started working as an apprentice at a mud dyeing factory in Ariya. He has won numerous awards in the dyeing category at authentic Amami Oshima Tsumugi contests. In addition to dyeing Oshima Tsumugi, he also handles requests for apparel dyeing and is active as a mud dyeing model. He is a pioneer of mud dyeing.

Featured products

view more