A Guide to the Japanese Perception of the Color Red

Red is generally called aka è µ ¤ in Japanese. There are many traditional shades of red. The Japanese gave each shade of red its own elegant name in the old days. Shuiro (vermilion), akaneiro (madder red), enji (dark red), karakurenai (crimson) and hiiro (scarlet) are among of them. Use of Red The Japanese especially love the red that is obtained from safflower (benibana), and it was very popular in the Heian period (794-1185). Some of the beautiful clothing that were dyed with safflower red are well-preserved in the Shousouin at Todaiji Temple, more than 1200 years later. Safflower dyes were also used as lipstick and rouge by court ladies. At Horyuji Temple, the worlds oldest wooden buildings, their walls were all painted with shuiiro (vermilion). Many torii (Shinto shrine archways) are also painted this color. Red Sun In some cultures, the color of the sun is considered yellow (or even other colors). However, most Japanese think that the sun is red. Children usually draw the sun as a big red circle. The Japanese national flag (kokki) has a red circle on a white background. Just like the British flag is called the Union Jack, the Japanese flag is called hinomaru æâ€" ¥Ã£  ®Ã¤ ¸ ¸. Hinomaru literally means the suns circle. Since Nihon (Japan) basically means, Land of the rising sun, the red circle represents the sun. Red in Japanese Culinary Tradition There is a word called hinomaru-bentou æâ€" ¥Ã£  ®Ã¤ ¸ ¸Ã¥ ¼ Ã¥ ½â€œ. Bentou is a Japanese boxed lunch. It consisted of a bed of white rice with a red pickled plum (umeboshi) in the center. It was promoted as a simple, staple meal during the World Wars, a time that was hard to get a variety of foods. The name came from the meals appearance that closely resembled the hinomaru. It is still quite popular today, though usually as a part of other dishes. Red in Festivities The combination of red and white (kouhaku) is a symbol for auspicious or happy occasions. Long curtains with red and white stripes are hung in wedding receptions. Kouhaku manjuu (pairs of red and white steamed rice cakes with sweet beans fillings) are often offered as gifts at weddings, graduations or other auspicious commemorative events. Red and white mizuhiki (ceremonial paper strings) are used as gift wrapping ornaments for weddings and other auspicious occasions. On the other hand, black (kuro) and white (shiro) are used for sad occasions. They are the usual colors of mourning. Sekihan è µ ¤Ã© £ ¯ literally means, red rice. It is also a dish that is served on auspicious occasions. The red color of the rice makes for a festive mood. The color is from red beans cooked with rice. Expressions Including the Word Red There are many expressions and sayings in Japanese that include the word for the color red. Connotations for red in Japanese include complete or clear in expressions such as akahadaka è µ ¤Ã¨ £ ¸, aka no tanin è µ ¤Ã£  ®Ã¤ »â€"ä º º, and makkana uso çÅ"Ÿã  £Ã¨ µ ¤Ã£  ªÃ£ â€ Ã£  .   A baby is called akachan  Ã¨ µ ¤Ã£  ¡Ã£â€šÆ'ã‚“ or akanbou  Ã¨ µ ¤Ã£â€šâ€œÃ¥ Å . The word came from a babys red face. Aka-chouchin  Ã¨ µ ¤Ã¦  Ã§  ¯ literally means, red lantern. They refer to traditional bars that you can cheaply eat and drink at. They are usually located on the side streets in busy urban areas and often have a red lantern lit out front. Other phrases include: akago no te o hineru è µ ¤Ã¥ ­ Ã£  ®Ã¦â€°â€¹Ã£â€šâ€™Ã£  ²Ã£  ­Ã£â€šâ€¹ --- To describe something easily done. Literally means, To twist a babys hand.akahadaka è µ ¤Ã¨ £ ¸ --- Stark-naked, completely nude.akahaji o kaku è µ ¤Ã¦  ¥Ã£â€šâ€™Ã£ â€¹Ã£   --- Be put to shame in public, be humiliated.akaji è µ ¤Ã¥ ­â€" --- A deficit.akaku naru è µ ¤Ã£  Ã£  ªÃ£â€šâ€¹ --- To blush, to turn red with embarrassment.aka no tanin è µ ¤Ã£  ®Ã¤ »â€"ä º º --- A complete stranger.akashingou è µ ¤Ã¤ ¿ ¡Ã¥  · --- A red traffic light, a danger signal.makkana uso çÅ"Ÿã  £Ã¨ µ ¤Ã£  ªÃ£ â€ Ã£   --- A downright (bare-faced) lie.shu ni majiwareba akaku naru æÅ" ±Ã£  «Ã¤ º ¤Ã£â€š Ã£â€šÅ'㠁 °Ã¨ µ ¤Ã£  Ã£  ªÃ£â€šâ€¹ --- You cannot touch pitch without being defiled.