Hi guys, it has been a while!
If you are reading this, you probably have noticed that the website got a new look in April. We are always changing things around on the website, but this time is a total new layout and look. This is the first time we have renewed our website since we have created it back in 2013! The new website has clean and clear layout, with bigger and bolder images. Hope you had a chance to click around, and enjoy the new look.
As all of us are equally affected by Covid-19, we had to change gears around here as well.
In Japan, we adopted to mask wearing at a very early stage, then quickly followed was a disposable mask shortage. We decided to make fabric masks out of the beautiful hand dyed fabric. We were gifted fabric from our friend who works at a natural, handmade dye studio in Kyoto. For a very long time, we had no idea what to do with the beautiful precious fabric, we finally found the very suitable application for it as a fabric mask!
Mitsuru Kogei only uses natural resources for dye process. Dye ingredients are from persimmon fruit, indigo, iron, other tree leaves and, field grass. They use local mountain spring water, and the wash process happens in the river next to the studio. The fabric will then hang to dry, let the sunshine do its job for drying and the color reaction process. We had the pleasure to visit their studio in Ohara, Kyoto back in 2018, we were in awe of their process, and quickly fell in love with the fabric.
We feel so grateful for the opportunity to share this precious fabric with you, and gave it a purpose in such meaningful way. We believe wearing a mask is not only for you, but for others around you. Kindness is important more now than ever in this strange time.
Beautiful shades of natural dye colors. Gift of nature!
Thank you for reading our blog, take care of each other, and be safe!