Yamato Indigo Dye

Yamato Indigo is a Japanese natural-blend indigo powder dye. It dyes natural materials, such as cotton, linen, silk, leather, wood, and washi paper into a vibrant, beautiful “Japan Blue.” 

Yamato Indigo comes in the form of a powder consisting of extracts from indigo plants, synthetic indigo, and bonding agents. By mixing it with water, it instantly becomes ready to dip and use as a dye. Learn more about using this natural pigment in How-To: Indigo Dye.

10g pack makes 2 to 3 liters of dye, good for small items like napkins and bandanas. 

About Yamato

Yamato Indigo is indigo powder dye developed by Aikuma Senryo, a company founded in 1818 in Tokyo. The company was originally a Chinese herbal apothecary and later began supplying dyeing supplies. In the 1870s, when indigo was exceptionally valuable, Aikuma Senryo developed a method for extracting the indigo pigments from old indigo-dyed fabric. By boiling the fabric in water, a clay-like dye called airou (indigo wax) was created. Airou became a popular option for dyers until synthetic indigo eventually became available in Japan.  Based on this method of making airou, Aikuma Senoryo created Yamato Indigo, a powder dye consisting of extracts from indigo plants, chemical indigo, alkaline agent, and reducing agent.