A working manicurist is fascinated by the infinite possibilities of the indigo plant

Do you know the indigo plant? Some of you may have tried indigo dyeing. A woman once told me that indigo has many other charms besides its use in dyeing.

Sayaka Sato is a nail artist living in Yokohama. She was fascinated by indigo, and now she grows it from seeds in a non-pesticide farm, and enjoys harvesting it to the fullest. We spoke to her about the indigo that makes her so excited.

The inherent power of plants that you never knew existed

Sayaka had always been troubled by physical ailments, such as "I just don't feel right." After trying various things to cure this ailment, she discovered the power of plants. She thought that the powerful power of wild plants, which spread their leaves and bloom in harsh natural environments, was what she was looking for, and so she started participating in hiking trips with the Wild Plant Society.

"As I learned more about different plants, the mountain scenery changed dramatically."

This plant has antibacterial properties and is effective on wounds. Drinking a decoction of this plant warms the body and improves blood circulation. He experienced firsthand the wisdom of his ancestors.

Elevating plants to art

When he became interested in wild plants and participated in seasonal wild plant walks in various locations, he met a man who created works of art using the indigo he had grown himself: Moriya Reita, president of Art Moriya Co., Ltd. and an aisashi* artist.
*Aizashi is a word coined by Moriya, and is a profession that combines traditional Japanese indigo with modern plastering.

Moriya has produced many works that bring out the best indigo, and is currently based in Fujisawa City, where he holds solo exhibitions and workshops around the country. Sayaka says she was taught that "indigo can be used for 'food, clothing, shelter, and art.'"

For example, "clothing" is dyed fabrics. "food" is ingredients for tea and sweets, and herbal medicine. "living" is wall paint and plastering materials. "art" is art, including paintings and objets d'art. There are Art Moriya works in the Fujisawa City Hall main building and the Enoshima public toilets, and the unique indigo colors adorn our town.

Art Moriya
Official website: here

Sayaka originally liked and collected indigo-dyed fabrics, but she fell in love with the versatility and versatility of indigo, which is not just for dyeing. She then took this teaching a step further and decided to incorporate indigo into her main business of nail art, hoping to add "beauty" to the three basic necessities of life: food, clothing, shelter, and art.

I want to express myself in ways other than nail art! I want more people to know about the beauty of indigo!

Seeking further expression, Sayaka next went to a sumi-e painting class. Learning the basics of sumi-e painting, she finally completed a work incorporating indigo. Combining the unique depth and softness of indigo with sumi-e painting, she feels like her range of expression has expanded even further. She is currently working on a new piece. She also plans to hold a public exhibition of her sumi-e paintings using indigo, so be sure to check out the information Sayaka has to offer.

Looking back at the history of indigo, it has faced many hardships, such as the appearance of synthetic dyes causing a sharp decline in domestic production, and the ban on indigo cultivation during wartime to prioritize food, putting the plant at risk of extinction. However, there were people who continued to protect it, which is why it has survived to this day.

Learning from the thoughts of her predecessors, Sayaka is expanding the scope of her activities to convey the charms of indigo. She holds workshops on growing and cultivating indigo from seeds and dyeing them, and serves tea made from dried indigo. The number of indigo fans around Sayaka is steadily increasing.

"Of course, indigo is attractive, but so are other wild plants. The teachings of our ancestors who lived in harmony with nature and respected the power of plants are very fascinating. I would be happy if you could take even just a little interest."

Sayaka's activities are still ongoing.

(Photo provided by Sayaka Sato)

Sayaka Sato
Official website atelier Soranite: here