Princess Kako sparks orders for earrings created by Japan indigo artisan

GOTEMBA, Shizuoka -- Mako Kobayashi, a 27-year-old aspiring indigo dye artisan, found herself in high demand after Princess Kako wore earrings she created at a high school equestrian event in the central Japan city. Kobayashi, who joined a traditional indigo-dye workshop in March 2024, spent her days working as an electrical engineer and training on her off days.

Her mentor praised her dedication and willingness to learn, despite the challenges of mastering the craft. The royal endorsement sparked a surge in orders for Kobayashi's handcrafted earrings, not only locally but across Japan. Kobayashi dreams of opening an experiential lodging facility that merges her love for indigo dyeing with a guesthouse, all while continuing to hone her skill as an artisan.