Fukushima farmers rebuild by planting indigo, dying fabric
By CHISATO TANAKA, Associated Press
Published: March 7, 2021, 6:04am
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Kiyoko Mori, 65, the head of indigo dye group called Japan Blue, points out at one of displayed indigo dyed artwork Feb. 20 at a community center where residents evacuated when the 2011 earthquake hit the area in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture, northeastern Japan. (Chisato Tanaka/Associated Press)
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MINAMISOMA, Japan — Because of radiation released by the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster a decade ago, farmers in nearby Minamisoma weren’t allowed to grow crops for two years.
After the restriction was lifted, two farmers, Kiyoko Mori and Yoshiko Ogura, found an unusual way to rebuild their lives and help their destroyed community. They planted indigo and soon began dying fabric with dye produced from the plants.