[gmdiaz]

Photo of the Awa Ai

This is about three feet long, two feet wide.

This is what my paperwork from NWO says on the subject. . .no author attributed.

"History of Awa Ai

The origin of Awa Ai is still uncertain. One explanation is that Lord hachisuka Iemasa introduced indigo to Awa no Kuni (Tokushima) in 1585, but other evidence suggests that indigo was already an important source of revenue in the Muromachi Period (1378-1573 a.d.). By the Edo Period (1603-1867 a.d.), Awa Ai was extremely profitable and under the protection and control of fiefs (han).

In 1903 (36th year of the Meiji Period), the production area of indigo in Tokushima reached an all time hight of 15,000 hectares (1 hectare=2.471 acres). However, by 1966 (41st year of the Showa Period) chemical dyes had dramatically reduced the production areas to 4 hectares. I recent years, concern for Awa Ai has increased and efforts are being made to preserve and protect this important cultural treasure."

And

" Raw Indigo Dye (Sukumo)

The raw materials used to make Awa Ai come from the leaves of the 'Tade" indigo plant. The leaves are harvested, dried and allowed to ferment. This substance which contains raw fermented dye material is called 'sukumo' and is used to produce various indigo products.

'Sukumo' is made by placing dried indigo leaves in a fermentation bed and spraying them with water between 15 to 20 times. After 5 to 7 days, this process is repeated. After about 3 months of repeated spraying and fermentation, a solid mass with a dark brown color appears. This substance, called 'sukumo', will later be used to make Awa Ai."