The Sukumo Project: A Community for Traditional Japanese Indigo Making

There are some natural dye processes that can be learned in an afternoon.

Sukumo isn't one of them.

It is slow, seasonal and deeply rooted in observation, patience and tradition. Rather than producing colour immediately, the process begins many months before the first piece of cloth ever enters a vat. Healthy indigo plants must be grown, harvested at the right moment, carefully dried and gradually transformed into sukumo—the composted indigo leaves that form the heart of traditional Japanese fermentation vats.

It is one of the most fascinating and rewarding journeys in natural dyeing.

Over the past few years, we've explored many aspects of indigo together through fresh leaf dyeing, pigment extraction, fermentation vats and, most recently, Indigo Week, where Britt Boles generously shared her experience of traditional Japanese sukumo making.

Those conversations sparked something.

Rather than simply watching recordings and moving on, many members wanted to continue exploring the process together. Questions kept coming. Ideas were shared. People began planning their own harvests.

So we decided to create a home for that journey.

Introducing The Sukumo Project

The Sukumo Project is a brand-new community within the Natural Dyers & Growers Academy.

It isn't a traditional course.

Instead, it's a slow-paced, collaborative space where members can explore the complete process of making sukumo—from harvest through to composting and, ultimately, building traditional Japanese fermentation vats.

Some members will be actively making sukumo this year.

Others will simply follow the discussions, learn from the community and prepare for a future season.

Both are equally valuable.

The project isn't about rushing towards an end result. It's about learning together, comparing observations, asking questions, inviting experienced makers to share their knowledge and gradually building a community around one of the world's most remarkable indigo traditions.

A Community of Practice

One of the things I love most about this project is that it isn't centred around a single teacher.

While we'll continue to invite guest speakers and share practical resources, The Sukumo Project is designed as a community of makers learning alongside one another.

Every climate is different.

Every harvest is different.

Every batch of sukumo has its own story.

Together, we'll discover what works, troubleshoot challenges and build a lasting collection of shared knowledge that will continue to grow from year to year.

The Perfect Time to Join

If you're currently growing Persicaria tinctoria, there's no better time to become involved.

Our next live Garden Series session focuses on harvesting indigo, discussing the best timing, leaf quality and preparing your harvest for the next stage of the journey.

Even if you don't plan to make sukumo this year, following the project from the beginning is a wonderful way to learn and prepare for the future.

Join Us

The Sukumo Project is included with Full Membership of the Natural Dyers & Growers Academy, alongside:

• Indigo Week and all recordings
• Seed to Dye to Seed – The Garden Series
• Dyeworks: Real Conversations
• A growing Resource Library
• Our community of natural dyers and growers from around the world

As the Academy continues to grow, so too does the value of Full Membership. Members who join now also lock in their annual membership fee for as long as they remain subscribed.

If you've ever dreamed of exploring the traditional Japanese art of making sukumo, we'd love to welcome you.

👉 Join the Full Membership here

We look forward to making this journey together.

Jennifer & Tristan