The delicate art of natural indigo

Indigo is a dye extracted from a plant. While denim jeans may be synonymous with indigo worldwide, today, most jeans are dyed using artificial pigments. This is because natural indigo is notoriously difficult to handle. It demands a delicate, constant adjustment based on the day’s temperature, moisture, and even the subtle mood of the fermentation process.

In exchange for this difficulty and painstaking labor, the natural indigo of Japan provides a uniquely beautiful, deep, and complex coloring—a spectrum of hues that synthetic dyes simply cannot replicate.

A nation draped in blue: The origin of “Japan blue”

“Japan Blue.” Some of you may recognize this name, as it was the signature color for the Tokyo Olympic Games. I looked up the origin of this evocative term and found it was coined by Robert William Atkinson, a British chemist invited to Japan in 1875.

He wrote in his book that he saw so many people wearing indigo blue across Japan. Indeed, the outfits of ordinary people at the time were commonly dyed with indigo due to its antibacterial characteristics—a critical feature, especially for work clothes. Considering that the proportion of farmers and laborers was about 85% then, I imagine the entire nation must have looked wholly draped in a beautiful indigo haze to him.

Okayama denim: Craftsmanship over market size

Jeans originated in the U.S. and spread globally. Even now, the U.S. market remains the largest, with the Japanese market being less than one-eighth its size. To be honest, I was completely unaware that Japanese jeans (Okayama Denim) were so highly regarded internationally for their uncompromising quality, despite our small domestic market.

The reason? Most top Japanese jeans makers still adhere to the traditional, meticulous processes of natural indigo dyeing and weaving. It is the perfect marriage of modern product (jeans) and ancient Japanese dedication to craft.

A synergy of craft: Japan blue meets CondeHouse

One day, our Singaporean dealer insisted we explore a collaboration with a Japanese jeans maker. The owner argued that we shared a common root—Japanese craftsmanship—and that a synergy effect was inevitable.

I gave it a try and asked several top makers. Surprisingly, one of the most popular companies, “Japan Blue”, accepted the offer. They are renowned as a Japanese top jeans maker and now, through this collaboration, you can order our furniture upholstered with custom Japan Blue Denim.

They developed this specific denim exclusively for furniture use, meaning you absolutely do not need to worry about fading or color transfer. The traditional spirit of Japanese craft, once used to dye the work clothes of 85% of the population, is now protecting and enhancing our modern furniture.

The denim is beautiful, durable, fade-resistant, and steeped in history. Frankly, there is no reason not to buy it.

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