下した染ぞめ

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

preliminary dyeing; bottoming

Technical term in dyeing: the first dyeing step that establishes a base color before overdyeing. Often contrasted with 上掛け (うわがけ).

See also: 上掛け (うわがけ)

• 藍あい染ぞめでは、まず下した染ぞめをしてから本ほん染ぞめに入はいる。

  In indigo dyeing, you first do a preliminary dyeing and then proceed to the main dyeing.