本場大島紬の歴史とともに歩んできた、奄美大島独自の伝統染色技法。

島に自生する「テーチ木（車輪梅）」の抽出液と、豊かな泥田に含まれる「鉄分」との化学反応を利用し、手作業で幾重にも染め上げていきます。

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1. 泥染め（Mud Dyeing）とは

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　ー　自然の恵みと化学反応

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チップ状にしたテーチ木を煮出し、数日間寝かせて得られるタンニン酸。これで染め、石灰のアルカリで中和させる工程を約10回繰り返し、下地を作ります。

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　ー　職人の手と自然との対話

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その後、泥田へ入り、鉄分によって染料を繊維へと深く定着させます。MARK.Sでは、この過酷で膨大なサイクルをさらに3〜4回反復。一切の妥協を排し、すべて職人の手仕事によって目指す色の深みへと導きます。

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2. 移ろいゆく「自然の色」の魅力

 

気温や湿度が変化する夏と冬で、染め上がる色のトーンは繊細に変化します。

 

工業製品の均一さとは対極にある、天然染めだからこそ表現できる独特の奥ゆきと一期一会の表情。手作業ならではのムラ感や色合いの違いこそが、世界にひとつだけのプロダクトの証です。

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3. プロダクトを慈しむ（お取り扱いとお手入れ）

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美しさを長く保ち、経年変化を嗜むための特別なケア。

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洗濯・乾燥

• 最初の洗いは移染を防ぐため、白物や淡色物とは分け、単独洗いをしてください。

• 必ず【中性洗剤】をご使用ください。

• 裏返して洗濯ネットに入れ、直射日光を避けた「陰干し」をおすすめします。

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保管・注意点

• 光に非常に優しいため、直射日光や蛍光灯の光を避け、暗所に保管してください。

• 柑橘類（レモン・ゆず等）の強い酸や酸性制汗スプレー、漂白剤が付着すると、部分的に色が抜ける原因となります。万一付着した場合は、すぐに該当部分を水洗いしてください。​

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​染め直し（Re-Dyeing）

• 経年変化によって色が薄くなっても、それは終わりではありません。時を重ねたプロダクトの「染め直し」を承っております。色を重ね、再び新たな表情へと育てる喜びをお楽しみください。

 

 

ご不明点や染め直しのご相談につきましては、弊社までお気軽にお問い合わせください。

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​(染色家) 岡島 修平

(協力工場) アキラ染色工芸 - 〒894-0623鹿児島県奄美市笠利町辺留278-1​​​​

(写真) 藤井 音凛

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A traditional dyeing technique unique to Amami Oshima, passed down through generations alongside the history of authentic Oshima Tsumugi silk textiles.

Using a chemical reaction between an extract of Techi-gi (Japanese plum, Rhaphiolepis umbellata), which grows wild on the island, and the iron-rich mud found in its fertile mud fields, each piece is dyed by hand, layer upon layer.

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1. What Is Mud Dyeing?

— Nature’s Gifts and Chemical Reactions

Chipped Techi-gi wood is boiled and left to steep for several days to extract tannic acid. The fabric is dyed with this extract and then neutralized using the alkalinity of lime. This process is repeated approximately ten times to create the base color.

— A Dialogue Between the Artisan and Nature

The fabric is then immersed in the mud fields, where iron in the mud helps the dye bind deeply to the fibers. At MARK,S, this already demanding and time-intensive cycle is repeated an additional three to four times. With no compromises, skilled artisans work entirely by hand to bring the color to its intended depth.

 

2. The Beauty of Colors Shaped by Nature

The resulting tones subtly shift between summer and winter as temperatures and humidity change.

Far removed from the uniformity of industrial products, natural dyeing creates a distinctive depth and a one-of-a-kind character that can never be replicated exactly. The irregularities and variations in color that emerge through hand-dyeing are precisely what make each piece a product unlike any other in the world.

 

3. Caring for Your Piece

Special care helps preserve the beauty of your piece and allows you to appreciate how it changes over time.

Washing and Drying

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• For the first wash, wash separately from white or light-colored garments to prevent color transfer.

• Always use a neutral detergent.

• Turn the garment inside out, place it in a laundry net, and air-dry it in the shade, away from direct sunlight.　

　

Storage and Precautions

• The color is highly sensitive to light. Store the garment in a dark place, away from direct sunlight and fluorescent lighting.

• Strong acids found in citrus fruits such as lemons and yuzu, acidic antiperspirant sprays, and bleach may cause localized color fading if they come into contact with the fabric. If any of these substances come into contact with the garment, rinse the affected area with water immediately.

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Re-Dyeing

• Even if the color fades over time, that is not the end of its story. We offer a re-dyeing service for pieces that have developed their own character through years of wear. Enjoy the pleasure of layering color once again and allowing your piece to develop a new expression.

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For any questions or inquiries about our re-dyeing service, please feel free to contact us.

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Dye Artist: Shuhei Okajima

Partner Dyeing Workshop: Akira Senshoku Kogei
278-1 Beru, Kasari-cho, Amami City, Kagoshima 894-0623, Japan

Photography: Orin Fujii