藍 (indigo)

市三郎も父と共に信州や上州まで藍を売り歩き、藍葉を仕入れる作業も行った。

Ichisaburo also went to Shinsyu or Joshu to sell indigo balls with his father and purchased indigo plants as well.

藍は、膠液を数滴、皿に注ぎ、これを磨り、火でかわかし、水に滴して指で溶く。

Indigo should be used by putting a few drops of glue solution into a plate, kneading it, drying it by heating and dissolving it by adding a few drops of water and kneading with a finger.

その際、縞木綿や藍絣など丈夫な布地が使われ、よそ行き用には平時の着物を仕立て直した絹地を用いる場合もあった（戦時下の布地統制の為、和服の仕立直し）。

Strong fabrics such as striped cotton and indigo cloth with splashed patterns were used, and for special occasions, silk cloths made-over from ordinary kimono, were also used (Due to the regulation of fabrics in wartime, people had to make over Japanese-style clothing).