滅赤(けしあか)とは？：伝統色のいろは

滅赤（けしあか）とは？｜Keshiaka｜#BD6748

滅赤Keshiaka

色の名前Japan Color Name	滅赤（けしあか）
ローマ字Romanized	Keshiaka
RGB	R:189 G:103 B:072
CMYK	C:00 M:60 Y:60 K:30
Web カラーHex triplet

色の説明

滅赤（けしあか）とは、明るく渋い赤色のことです。色名の「滅」は「けし」と読み、もとの色味をやや抑え、くすませることで落ち着いた印象にした色を意味します。そのため『滅赤』は、赤の鮮烈さや強さが和らぎ、穏やかで控えめな雰囲気を漂わせる色といえるでしょう。

また、「色名大辞典」（一九五〇）によれば、『滅赤』には『駄赤（だあか）』という別名があります。名詞の上に「駄」が付く場合、「価値が低いもの、粗悪なもの」を意味し、高価な紅花染（べにばなぞめ）ではなく安価な蘇芳染（すおうぞめ）による染色方法や、色褪せやくすみを帯びた赤を指して「粗悪な赤＝駄赤」と呼んだものと考えられます。

なお、「滅」を冠した色は、ほかに『滅紫』『滅紅』などがあり、奈良時代の「正倉院文書（しょうそういんもんじょ）」にも見られる古い色名です。「滅」を冠した色はいずれも元の色より落ち着いた色合いとなっています。

-読み：けしあか-

[Explanation of a color]

Keshi-aka refers to a bright yet subdued red. In traditional Japanese color terminology, the word keshi (“muted” or “softened”) indicates a color whose original tone has been slightly suppressed or dulled, resulting in a calmer and more restrained impression. Accordingly, Keshi-aka softens the vividness and intensity of red, creating a gentle and understated hue. According to the Dictionary of Color Names (1950), Keshi-aka is also known by the alternative name Daaka. When prefixed to a noun, da carries the meaning of something inferior or of lesser quality. Rather than referring to expensive safflower-dyed reds, daaka was likely used to describe reds produced through more affordable dyeing methods, such as sappanwood dyeing, or reds that had faded or taken on a dull, muted appearance. In this sense, the term came to signify a “coarse” or “inferior” red. Other colors bearing the prefix keshi include names such as Keshi-murasaki and Keshi-beni, and such color names can already be found in documents from the Nara period, including the Shōsōin Monjo. Colors prefixed with keshi consistently represent tones that are more subdued and restrained than their original base colors.

-read: Keshi-aka-