Persimmon tannin dyeing, orkakishibu, is a Japanese textile technology that dates to the Heian period (794-1185 CE). When persimmon juice is fermented a time-consuming and laborious process it can be transformed into a fabric dye with enormous versatility. Persimmon tannin dye is water-resistant and anti-microbial. Depending on the recipe, materials dyed with this process have rich and natural colors that range from deep umber and pale sand.

This persimmon-dyed thread is spun from cotton, with an “S-twisted” six-ply construction that’s great for sashiko, bookbinding, hand-sewing, and embroidery. Once treated with the persimmon dye, the thread feels crisp, almost starched, so it slides smoothly through fabric and paper. This is a great alternative to waxed linen thread for durable bookbinding.

Each skein has 20 m (22 yd.) of thread in one color. Each sold separately.