What is the traditional Japanese color "Akane-iro" (madder red)?
The vibrant red of akane-iro (madder red) originates from dyeing with the roots of the madder plant that grows wild in the mountains and fields. It is a fiery, powerful color that evokes the image of Mount Fuji illuminated by the sun. The national treasure, the red-laced armor and helmet preserved at Musashi Mitake Shrine, showcases the beautiful coloration of the Heian period. It was difficult to produce such a vivid red with madder alone, so sappanwood and safflower were also used during the Momoyama and Edo periods. As seen in the waka poems of Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, its brilliance has also been cherished as a poetic epithet, "akane-sasu," which leads to words like "sun" and "shining."
Akaneiro = crimson
Madder has long been believed to have hemostatic properties in its roots and has been used as a medicinal herb in daily life. "Akane-iro" is the reading of the word "madder red".
DIC Traditional Japanese Colors: C0 M80 Y85 K24 / R194 G38 B30 / Akaneiro (Madder Red)
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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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