Experiencing mud dying in Amami Oshima

Hosting friends and colleagues on Amami Oshima was one of the highlights of my time on the island this visit. I found myself engaging in activities I wouldn’t normally do, and for that, I am incredibly grateful to them.

One of the most memorable shared experiences was participating in an indigo and mud dyeing workshop led by Yukihito Kanai, who had just returned from Aotearoa New Zealand, where he conducted a series of workshops and an exhibition on Amami dyeing techniques. What an extraordinary person he is, and what an unforgettable experience he gifted us! His passion for his craft, his dedication to living and working on the island, and his commitment to continuing the tradition passed down from his father were truly inspiring.

The hands-on workshop took us through the many stages of the indigo natural dyeing process, including washing our fabrics in a mud pool which was most fun of all! I loved what I created, but what I cherished most was the time Yukihito took to share his knowledge. His teachings vividly illustrated how deeply connected he is to his Amamian identity and, in turn, how that island identity is intertwined with the water and the entire ecosystem of Amami Oshima.

The dye is made from the wood of sharinbai, a tree native to the island. Like every other element in this process, which is designed to recycle and reuse, the wood serves a dual purpose: once the dye is extracted, the leftover material becomes fuel for the furnace. Yukihito’s workshop also depends on water from the creek that flows through his property. He explained that this water is crucial to the quality of the dye—using any other source simply doesn’t yield the same results.

The presence of the Amami Oshima shiriken imori lizard in the mud pond was a sign that the water was clean and ideal for the dyeing process. It was a reminder of how deeply interconnected this craft is with the island’s ecosystem. From the sharinbai tree to the creek water, and even the creatures inhabiting the mud pond, every element plays a vital role. Indeed, the entire island ecosystem comes together to make this remarkable craft possible!

We saw Yukihito today at the Naze arcade in action again, this time demonstrating to island children the dye process. That much dedication to his island’s next generation!

Thank you Yukihito!