Origin

Indigo Dyeing is a common method of dyeing cloth used by women since the early days.  Its history could be traced back 4-5 thousand years for there are records of people growing indigo plants, making indigo dyes and using them for dying cloth in the Shang Dynasty.  Indigo dyeing is a natural plant-dyeing method using indigo plants which basically means all kinds of plants that may be used to make indigo dyes, for example Assam Indigo, Common Indigo, and Chinese Indigo.  Back in the early days, Sanxia used to be the main producer of Assam Indigo. The upper stream of the Sanjiaoyong River provided clean water required for dyeing cloth; the Sanxian River and its branch – Zhongpu River – also provided great locations for washing and air-drying dyed cloth. The convenient water transport of the Damsui River not only brings ample materials for indigo dyeing but also allows the mass quantity of indigo dyed products to be transported to Xiamen, Zhangzhou, Fuzhong and Shanghai.  These natural advantages promoted the development of the local indigo dye industry and it gradually became an industry unique to SanJiaoyong street.  Today, on Minquan old street, many signs of the old dyeing stores remain.  It is not hard to picture how prosperous the industry used to be.  With the rise of suits and kimonos during the Japanese ruling period, traditional dyed cloth and traditional clothing withered.  Today, traditional cloth-dyeing craftsmanship has become the focal point of clothing style again, thanks to retro style and the latest trends.  Indigo-dye craftsmanship is starting to get attention because indigo-dye workshops are being set up everywhere.

Activities

The Blue Art Feast: Local great performing groups are invited to perform with students and people in the communities. Through performances of singing, music, dancing, and drama, the beauty that combines shows and indigo dye craftsmanship is displayed.
 
Cultural Train Exhibition: In order to accommodate the promotional activities organized by the New Taipei City Government and other related units, the Cultural Train Exhibition on Minquan Street of Sanxia District has been organized.

Indigo Dye DIY Activity – In addition to introducing the history of Sanxia Indigo Dye, indigo plants, and the process of indigo dyeing, various simple indigo dye techniques will also be demonstrated at the scene so that people may experience the fun of indigo dyeing first hand.  In addition, an indigo dye summer camp will be held to nurture little indigo-dye lovers.

The Indigo Dye Product Exhibition: Using the Sanxia History Museum as a platform, the local government has invited well-known indigo-dye designers to develop the Sanxia Indigo Dye Product Exhibition involving the participation of artists from Indigo Dye workshops and touring among government units, schools and communities to promote creativity in Indigo Dye Craftsmanship.

Training Indigo-Dye Professionals: Courses including professional skills of indigo dye, design and development of indigo dye products, promoting the training of Indigo Dye talent are offered to develop knowledge to renew the Indigo Dye Industry, so that people interested in Indigo Dye will have more opportunities to learn and be exposed to Indigo Dye.