Berlin, a land in Europe, where the dry breeze of early summer blows.
We, THE TERROIR, traveled to this city for an exhibition, carrying with us the Japanese indigo.
The West has led global industry by pushing forward with efficiency through industrialization. However, what we felt firsthand on the ground was a deeply profound and passionate respect for the Japanese "craftsman" approach to making things, which flows at the heart of their culture.
Through countless conversations at the exhibition, we repeatedly experienced the resonance with Japanese indigo, symbolized by the term "Japan Blue." Tilling the soil, growing indigo, making *sukumo* (fermented indigo leaves), and creating colors using only natural ingredients. As we spoke of the awe for nature that lies behind this process, the gazes of the buyers and creators grew ever more serious.
And the way we were able to convey the charm of our indigo most directly, transcending the barriers of language and culture, was through the indigo dyeing workshops we held locally. This time, we took a special approach to the process of preparing the indigo vat. In Japan, we add sake to encourage the fermentation of microorganisms, but here in Berlin, we used local "beer" to prepare the indigo.
The moment when traditional Japanese techniques intersect with the German *terroir*. Using the local water, air, and beer as energy, we dipped the fabric into the indigo vat that had fermented vigorously in this foreign land, and slowly pulled it out. The moment it touched the air, the greenish-brown fabric shifted instantly into a deep, beautiful blue. At that moment, what spread throughout the venue was a very simple, pure sense of wonder and cheers of "Wow."
Beyond just understanding the mechanism intellectually, it is about sharing the moment when a color infused with the climate and culture of that land is born. The smiles of the people in Berlin taught us just how much that can move people's hearts and resonate intuitively across borders.
To be deeply rooted in a local climate and to face it with unwavering honesty. This journey gave us the strong conviction that this is our greatest weapon for resonating with the world on a global stage, and our firm identity.
After the intense time spent in Berlin, and with the emotions and enthusiasm we shared in that distant land held close, we will continue to create steadfast "colors" that flicker and evolve right here in this place.