Tataki-Zome Silk Handkerchief

Made of a special Kyoto silk normally reserved for Japanese luxury kimono, the unique leaf patterned fabric was realised through __tataki-zome__, a hammer dyeing technique. The dappled pattern was created by hammering fresh indigo leaves directly onto the silk through a vinyl sheet, and the fabric is fully handmade and dyed with all organic materials in a shimmering display of the natural shapes and colours distilled from the earth. Dyed by the Japanese indigo dye collective BUAISOU, the fabric was exhibited during CHAT’s Winter Programme 2022, __Absolute Blue: BUAISOU Works with Japanese Natural Indigo__, as an installation of 23 belts of silk stretching across The Hall of The Mills to recreate the lush fields of indigo at BUAISOU’s farm. At the end of the display, the silks were cleaned and tailored with the zero-waste concept in mind into a range of limited edition jackets, scarves and handkerchiefs. 100% Kyoto Silk Sewed in Hong Kong __ABOUT THE MAKERS__ **BUAISOU** was founded in 2015 in Kamiita-cho, Tokushima prefecture, a place known for traditional Japanese indigo dye. From farming ai (Japanese natural indigo), to fermenting __sukumo__ (dye) and dyeing, BUAISOU have conducted diverse practices using Japanese natural indigo dye, dyeing not only yarn and fabric but also furniture with hard materials. From the very beginning of their establishment, they have been making their original workers’ clothing line. In 2018, they were able to realise their dream of making hand-dyed indigo jeans.