What is the traditional Japanese color "Kurotobi"?
Kurotobi is a slightly blackish reddish brown, a deep color that is like a more subdued version of dark tobi. Kurotobi refers to a shade of tobi dyed even darker. In the late Edo period, it appeared as a kimono ground color in a model book of popular kosode (short sleeve kimono), and is a color that speaks to the dyeing culture of the time. According to Ochi Tamehisa's essay "Hankozome," it was used for kosode (short sleeve kimono) during the Kyoho era, and was also popular as an obi (sash) with a black background and a saaya pattern during the An'ei era.
Black kite = Kurotobi
During the Edo period, town firefighters were called "Tobi." The name is said to have come from a tool called a "Tobiguchi" used by the firefighter's master carpenter, and the term was beloved as a symbol of bravery and sophistication. "Kuro Tobi" is pronounced "kurotobi."
DIC Traditional Japanese Colors: R85 G66 B54 #554236 / Kurotobi
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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