阿波藍の歴史

阿波藍の起源は明らかではありません。安土桃山時代に徳島へ入封された蜂須賀家が伝えたとも、あるいは、室町時代にはすでに阿波国の重要な財源の一つになっていたともいわれています。

江戸時代、阿波藍は徳島藩の保護・奨励の下、隆盛を極め、全国の市場を独占し、阿波の社会や経済・文化に多大な影響を与えましたが、明治36年をピークにして、安価なインド藍や容易かつ大量に染めることができる合成藍の輸入に押されて、その生産量は激減していきました。

長い時間の経過の中で、現在は一般的な好みが自然志向・本物志向となり、天然のものへの憧れや理解が深まり、見直されつつあります。

History of Awa Ai

The origin of Awa Ai is still uncertain. According to one account, Hachisuka family introduced indigo to Awa (the old name of Tokushima area) in the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568–1600 AD), but other evidence suggests that indigo was already an important source of revenue in the Muromachi period (1378-1573 AD).

In the Edo Period (1603-1867 AD), Awa Ai was extremely profitable under the protection and control of fiefs (Han). Because of the effects of demands and production increases, the market share of dye in Japan was almost monopolized by Awa Ai, and these could be caused of creating prosperity of Tokushima economically, socially and culturally.

After the year of 1903 (36th year of the Meiji period, the peak year of Awa Ai sales), the amount of production had been reducing because of importing Indian indigo which is cheaper than Awa Ai and Synthetic indigo which could be produced a lot and cheaper.

In recent years, people have more interests for nature-oriented and value-oriented products than before. Awa Ai products also has been evaluated as natural goods.