What is the traditional Japanese color "Mushi-ao"?
Mushi-ao refers to a dark bluish-green color, like the wings of a jewel beetle. The wings of the Yamato jewel beetle, found in Japan, the southern part of the Korean Peninsula, and Taiwan, have reddish-purple vertical stripes on a green background, and have a beautiful metallic luster, so they have been used in decoration since ancient times. A prime example is the Tamamushi Zushi (Tamamushi Shrine) at Horyuji Temple in Nara. This palace-style shrine, built during the Asuka period, has jewel beetle wings embedded under gilt bronze openwork ornaments, which give off a beautiful glow depending on the light. The colors used for the covering were blue-black on the front and indigo or light blue on the back.
Insect blue = Mushiao
The wings of the Japanese jewel beetle shine not with pigment but with structural color due to their light-reflecting structure. As a result, they are known to retain their metallic luster even after death without fading. "Mushiao" is pronounced "mushiao."
DIC Traditional Japanese Colors: R32 G96 B79 #20604F / Mushiao
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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