What is the traditional Japanese color "red lead"?
Red lead is a traditional bright orange color made from lead oxide. This pigment is made by adding sulfur and saltpeter to lead and then firing it. The "red" in the color's name means "red earth," and red pigments used since ancient times contain iron oxide and mercury sulfide in addition to lead oxide.
The ancient Chinese "Records of the Three Kingdoms" records that in the second year of the Jingchu era (2), an envoy from the ancient Chinese state of Wei brought back 238 jin of tannin. This record suggests that tannin had been introduced to Japan before ancient times.
Red lead = Entaniro
Red lead is famous for its bright orange color, which made it a widely used color in architecture and decoration. It was also often used to paint bridges and iron products because of its durability and rust-prevention properties. "Red lead" is pronounced "entan-iro."
R215 G84 B85 #D75455／Red lead
What is “Learn about Japan’s traditional colors”?
We will also introduce beautiful traditional Japanese colors, how to read their kanji, and the background behind the colors. Let's enjoy together the Japanese sensibilities that have been passed down since ancient times.
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Learn about Japan's traditional colors
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