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Bushu Shoaizome (Cotton Textiles) Bushu tozan Bushu katazome Bushu konori main producing districts:Hanyu, Kazo History and Features It is said that the technique of Aizome-dyeing in and around Hanyu has been introduced in the Tenmei period (1780's). Before this time, goods using cotton textiles with Aizome, called "Aojima", were flourishingly made and markets were set up mainly in the district of Kita-Saitama where brisk business was done . "Aojima" used mainly smocks, tabi etc.. After that, a combination of Tozan Ori - smart striped and of elegant colors - and Aizome started making goods out of Bushu-Tozan and Bushu-Katazome etc.. Aizome by natural fermentation with Aidama fades to the extent that its appearance is enhanced. In other words, an article can be used for a long time because the more it is washed the better the color becomes.