- Natural Indigo Dyeing
- Unique Texture
- Excellent Moisture Absorption
Indigo Dyeing and Awa Shijira Weave Products
A unique weaving technique handed down in Tokushima Prefecture, located in the Shikoku region of Japan,
Nagao Orifu's "Awa Shijira-ori" is the creation of Tokushima's beautiful water, indigo, and craftsmanship.
Established in 1897
Craftsmanship Recognized as Cultural Assets
Sold Internationally
Features of Nagao Orifu
Indigo Dyeing
“Japan Blue,” a color that has a long history and strong connection with Japanese culture, is achieved by indigo dyeing using "sukumo" (fermented indigo leaves). This natural dye is made by adding nutrients such as alkali and glucose to sukumo and letting it sit still for about a week. The fabric is repeatedly soaked in the dye solution to achieve a deeper, brighter color, and only the products dyed with indigo grown in Awa are allowed to carry the Sho-Ai label. Indigo dyeing is characterized by its deep colors that develop with repeated washing and is said to have anti-insect and anti-odor effects. Each product is carefully hand-dyed by our craftsmen, so no two are the same.
Awa Shijira Weave
During the reign of Lord Hachisuka, the former feudal lord of Awa, the use of silk cloth was strictly forbidden to the general populace. The common people, therefore, used cotton fabrics and devised various methods to present a brilliant appearance. Awa Shijira weave is said to have been invented by Hana Kaifu, a weaver from Awa-Atake Village, at the time of the Meiji Restoration, after painstaking research inspired by an uneven cloth that had been soaked in the rain and shrunk. The main feature of this fabric is that it uses the difference in tension of the warp threads, which creates a unique texture and excellent coloring. It also allows air to pass through the fabric well and provides a light, cool, and comfortable feel without sticking to the skin.
Reasons to Choose
Our Indigo Dyed and Awa Shijira Products
Natural Indigo Dye
One-and-Only Texture Achieved by Original Manufacturing Process
Excellent Water Absorption
Our Products
See our products.
38cm x 13m
114cm
Examples of Fabric Application
Our fabrics are used by:
Sports manufacturersfor sneakers
Luxury brands for interior furniture
Japanese international manufacturers for jinbei
Japanese and international brands for seasonal collections
Gallery
Order Flow
FAQs
If your question is not resolved after reading these, please contact us from the “Inquiries” button below.
It typically takes about 2 to 3 months, but we recommend you consult with our staff as it depends on the quantity. If we have the product in stock, we will send it to you as soon as possible.
If you need a pattern sample, we can send you a swatch or a trial weaving. Please contact us for the price.
Most of our products are 100% cotton, but there is also an option to add wool, silk, or synthetic fibers, to the weft yarn to change the texture and thickness of the fabric. As for materials, we ask for a minimum of 300m per color for both narrow cloth (38cm) and wide cloth (114cm).
Customers can choose the lot size, but the minimum lot is 13m length and 38cm width, and 300m for one color. We also accept orders that do not meet the minimum lot with an upcharge. Please consult us for the price. Samples will take about one month to complete, depending on the material.
The colors in the photo may differ slightly from the actual product depending on the light and angle. Our products are available in 108 colors, from which we perform color proofing. We also have several product samples available for customers to choose from.
We can send a small amount of fabric swatches, but there is a sample charge. We can also send photos of your request via our website or in the attached document.
Please contact us via email in English.
Itaro Nagao
We are a long-established weaving company founded in 1897 and have been manufacturing cotton fabrics since then. We handle the entire process, from dyeing to weaving and finishing, in one continuous operation, which allows us to carefully produce and check products tailored to customers’ requests and deliver them in a short time.
Our main products are "Awa Shijira weave" fabrics and "indigo-dyed products," which are dyed by hand by our skilled craftsmen.
Originally created for Japanese kimonos, this fabric is used for both Japanese and Western clothing as well as interior decoration with a variety of color shades and patterns. Old buildings, looms, and machines from 60 to 70 years ago are still in use, and the craftsmen's skills and techniques have been passed down and preserved over the years. While much of the work is done by hand, we are committed to diligent manufacturing, aiming to produce high quality goods through constant innovations and improvements.
In recent years, we have also been participating in overseas exhibitions and business meetings to promote our high quality products developed in Japan to international audiences. We hope our website sparks your interest and motivation to learn more about our products.
Inquiry Form
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