Sukumo: Dried Indigo Leaves Watered, Turned and Fermented for 75–90 Days

Sukumo is the composted indigo of Japanese aizome. Harvest and dry the leaves of Japanese indigo, heap them under cover, wet them well and turn them over and over while they ferment for about 75 to 90 days. Dried again, they become dark lumps rich in blue indigo, ready for the vat. The picture: our diagram, leaves to dried heap to sukumo.