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Mordant Monday: Kakishibu (Persimmon Tannin)

July 7, 2025July 7, 2025

MORDANT MONDAY: How To Reuse A Tannin Bath

June 30, 2025June 30, 2025

Mordant Monday: Middle Mordant in Toronto

June 23, 2025June 23, 2025

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botanicalcolors

Ancient dyes for modern times. Your resource for natural dyes, education and natural dye production.

This MORDANT MONDAY we dive into the wonderful wor

This MORDANT MONDAY we dive into the wonderful world of Persimmon Dye with Kakishibu.

Natural dyes are fascinating because we can see the history of human curiosity and imagination as it interacts with the natural world. Like, who looked at a hard, green, horribly astringent, inedible persimmon fruit and thought “You know, there’s probably an amazing, insect-repelling, anti-microbial, water-resistant, beautiful color in there if I just ferment it for a couple of years with a slice of eggplant.” Who, exactly?

Whoever that clever person was, we have them to thank for one of my latest obsessions, which is kakishibu. Kakishibu literally means kaki = persimmon and shibu = astringent. So, astringent persimmon, which is a very accurate description of this ingredient that is made from fermented persimmon juice. The green persimmons are full of tannin and yield a very rich brown to dark gray that darkens with repeated dips, exposure to the sun, and with pH and iron shifting. Since it is such a strong tannin, it does not need a mordant. We have not used it in our tannin gradation experiments – yet.

Kakishibu is made when the fruit is developed, but still quite hard and green. According to Takayuki Ishii of @Awonoyoh, the persimmons are ground, then pressed. The pressed juice is loosely covered and allowed to ferment for 1-3 years. Once the liquid has fermented, it is ready to use. Takayuki says that a slice of eggplant prevents the juice from coagulating into a jelly and is discarded once fermentation is complete.

To read the full Journal post - head to our website!

#Mordantmonday #kakishibu #naturaldye #botanicalcolors

We are looking for two TA’s! We have two incredi

We are looking for two TA’s! We have two incredible workshops happening online, and are looking for an experienced assistant who can work zoom! July 19th.

Not only do you get to watch and partake in the workshop, but we’re offering a Botanical Colors gift card!

First up: @seaspellfiber ‘s Season of Blue: Fresh Indigo 5 ways.

Second: Kathy Hattori’s Foundation in natural dyes.

These are at coinciding times so we need applicants for both! Please email workshops@botanicalcolors.com for more information.

We can’t wait to have you there!

We have a variety of dye kits for you from paintin

We have a variety of dye kits for you from painting with Maya Blue pigments to our Beginner’s Dye Kit that is perfect for someone starting their studio, to making lots of mixed natural color. Try the Petal Pusher’s Kit for a low life easy kit to make gorgeous surface designs!

We're OOO for the weekend! Here are some hand pick

We're OOO for the weekend! Here are some hand picked cherries for a pie Kathy is making. We're a small business and need a little R&R too. Please allow us a limited response through Monday. Wishing you a lot of delightful rest.

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