Miito-ori Japanese Fabric
Natural Indigo Yarn-dyed Cotton
Behind The Fabric: Miito-ori
These Miito-ori fabrics are naturally dyed and woven by Miito Orimono, founded in 1874. For over 140 years, they have upheld the spirit of pure, durable cotton through history’s challenges.
The more you wash it, the more the color of this natural indigo-dyed cotton deepens. Its unique texture reflects the beauty of the natural indigo dye and the craftsmanship that has been perfected over a century of tradition.
Dyeing the Yarn
In the dyeing workshop, you'll find storage vats dug into the earthen floor, filled with the aged "sukumo" (fermented indigo). Several vats filled with indigo liquid are embedded in the space, and the vat where the threads are dyed bubbles up with a deep green foam.
Weaving the Fabric
After dyeing the threads, skilled artisans and traditional weaving techniques transform them into the fabric that eventually reaches our hands.
The dyed threads are woven into fabric using looms introduced in the early Showa period (early '90s). Overcoming the hardships of wartime and postwar years, the fabric is crafted with care, preserving the simple, strong essence of cotton, while maintaining the high-quality standards of traditional weaving techniques.
A Bonus Story of Miito-ori
Here’s a little story from the brand’s history.
Miito-ori is produced in Matsusaka City, Mie Prefecture—just 3 hours from Kyoto—and is renowned as Matsusaka Cotton.
In the past, Matsusaka merchants with shops in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) sold affordable, durable cotton fabrics known as 'Matsusaka Cotton,' featuring fresh patterns that were popular among the fashionable Edoites. Over 500,000 rolls were sold annually.
This fabric, loved for many years, will surely become even more cherished once you learn about its history.
From the Loom to Your Stash!
This fabric, characterized by its gentle cotton texture reminiscent of antique textiles, is also tightly woven and highly durable, making it perfect for everyday use. It is versatile and can be used year-round for everything from clothing to crafting accessories.
Fraying the edges into fringes adds a charming accent to your designs and makes a great match for scarves or tablecloths.
Shop the fabric
