滋賀県·特産品
Aobana (Kusatsu)
On summer mornings, blue flowers burst into bloom—this is the Aobana, passed down since ancient times in Kusatsu. Aobana is a type of dayflower, scientifically known as Commelina communis. Kusatsu is the only place in Japan where its cultivation has continued since the Edo period. 'Aobana-gami' (blue flower paper), made by soaking Japanese paper in the blue juice squeezed from the flowers, has been used as a pigment for drawing underdrawings for Yuzen and tie-dyeing, taking advantage of its water-soluble nature. In recent years, attention has focused on the beauty of its color and its components, making it popular as Aobana tea and as a health food. It is the blue of Kusatsu's summer, which has quietly supported Japan's traditional crafts. It is a local specialty that brings joy whether you are looking at it or tasting it.
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