What is the traditional Japanese color "Oki"?
A subdued yellow-red with a dark tinge is called oak. This color has been called oak dye since ancient times, as it is made by using a dye broth made from boiled oak bark and mordanting it with camellia lye. There are two types of oak dye: using iron produces a deep navy black, and using camellia lye produces a yellow-brown color. For this reason, it was called "black oak" or "yellow oak" depending on the base color. It was also used in regulations for clothing during the Ritsuryo period, with the Yoro Ritsuryo using black as the base and yellow added, while the Engishiki was the opposite, and the way of distinguishing between the two has changed over time. Furthermore, the Ryō Gige states that "Mulan color is yellow oak," and in China, the yellow-brown version of Mulan color was also called yellow oak.
Yellow oak = cypress
This is an old name for the oak tree, whose fruit is an acorn. Not only was it used for food and livestock feed, but the bark and shells were also used as dyes, making it deeply rooted in Japanese life. "Kitsurubami" is pronounced "kitsurubami."
DIC Traditional Japanese Colors: R186 G145 B50 #BA9132 / Yellow Oak
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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