The traditional Japanese color "red"
The traditional vibrant red color known as beni is made by removing the yellow pigment from safflower and using only the red pigment carthamin. Safflower is a plant of the Asteraceae family native to Egypt, and the dyeing method involves first applying a base dye with yellow dyes such as turmeric or ambrosia, and then layering on top with safflower. This is a time-consuming method as safflower's color easily fades. The Mogami region of Yamagata Prefecture is the main production area, and "beni mochi" made from processed safflower is transported to Kyoto and Edo, where it is refined to become true beni.
Red = Beni
The name "kurenai" is said to come from Kure, the place where safflower was introduced in ancient times. The Manyoshu also contains many poems about crimson-dyed clothing, which suggests that crimson was a color people longed for even back then. "Kurenai" is pronounced "beni."
DIC Traditional Japanese Colors: R203 G27 B69 #CB1B45 / Crimson
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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