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About Me

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Kazumi Wakabayashi   ​​
 

2014

  Started making and selling loincloths as Hand Craft Loi.

Started dyeing with herbs and trees to make underwear from better materials.


2017

Studied under Mr Ranshu Yano, a 'natural lye fermentation construction technique holder' recognised by the Japan Indigo Dye Culture Association.

She was deeply impressed by the traditional wisdom and techniques of her teacher, a genuine craftsman, and at the same time was fascinated by the depth and beauty of the indigo dyeing process that has been preserved.


2018

 Started making garments dyed with real indigo and plants and trees

 

 Sapporo Fir Tree So exhibition and sale 'Pleasure Clothes Market #1'.

 

 Sapporo Fir Tree So exhibition and sale "Pleasure Clothes Market #2".

 

2019

 Changed the name of the shop from Hand Craft Loi to Kouya Matoihogido.

 

  Participated in the program [Museum Fair] of the ICOM (International Council of Museums) Kyoto Congress.

 

2020

 Daimaru Sapporo 'The Exhibition of Indigo dye and Life of Kouya Matoihogido' was held.

 

 Sapporo TEMPORARY SPACE Solo exhibition 'Upper Air Surface'

 

2021

 Daimaru Sapporo 'Indigo dye and Lifestyle Exhibition of Kouya Matoihogido' was held.


Sapporo Exhibited at Daimaru Kyoto 'Hokkaido Creator'.

The gentle, beautiful colors produced by plants are unique to nature.

 

 Indigo is dyed through a unique process and can express complex, three-dimensional, deep and deep colours, with many colors mixed in the depths, making it a rare and enjoyable color over time.
 

 

 Indigo dyeing, which reached its peak in the Edo period and became world-renowned as Japan blue, is now difficult to dye easily or to obtain close at hand due to the difficulty of securing raw materials and managing the dyeing process, and above all, the rise of chemical dyes.

 

 Japanese colors to be preserved.

 

 We want to dispel the old-fashioned and become an opportunity for people of all ages to feel its beauty again. We want to share the blessings of nature, the power of plants and the joy of wearing them in everyday life.

 

 Also, because indigo is an adhesive dye, after dyeing the fabric becomes slightly thicker and crisp and rejuvenated, as if it has come to life again. This ancient technique will come in handy in the ethical age to come, as it can be expected to extend the life of a worn garment a little longer.

 

 

- About dyeing -

 

  The indigo dye is made of Awa Ai indigo dye fermented at the Sato Awa Ai Factory in Tokushima, home of the modern master indigo craftsmen.

The company also learnt the traditional technique of natural lye fermentation and construction, a technique that has been handed down since the Edo period and uses only natural materials, from the master of the technique, Mr Aishu Yano.

Using these techniques, the genuine and beautiful colours of indigo are brought out to the maximum and dyed with care.

We would be happy if you could actually see the deep indigo colour that has been dyed with such care, and if it could become a little more familiar to you.

 

 

- About the garment -

 

 We choose fabrics that are as gentle on the body and the earth as possible.

 

 ・Sophisticated garments that you will want to wear every day.

 ・Clothes that can be dyed and re-dyed to be used by the next generation.

 ・Clothes that are made with care and attention to detail, even in places you can't see.

 

 With this in mind, each garment is made with the utmost care, from the selection of the cloth to the sewing and dyeing.

 

 

- Origin of the name of the Matoihogido

 

 Kotohoku (言祝く), from which the word 'Kotohoku' is derived.

The word "Kotohoku" means blessing and has a strong nuance of inviting happiness, especially through prayer. It is said to reflect the ancient Japanese idea of the spirit of words, which invites happiness through words and controls reality through words.

The word "Matoi Shukuuku" was coined in honour of this.

The name was coined in the hope that people and their homes would be blessed by the eight million people who "wear" the indigo-dyed cloth, which has absorbed a lot of plant energy, and that happiness would come to those who wear it.

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