[Explanation of a color]

Nasukon (茄子紺) refers to a deep, reddish navy blue color, reminiscent of the skin of an eggplant, a summer vegetable familiar to many.

“Nasukon” is a term for a shade created by layering 濃色 (Koiro), a deep indigo dye, with 蘇芳 (Suou), a reddish dye. This color name began to be used during the Edo period. Additionally, Shozo Wada’s The Great Dictionary of Color Names (1954) states under the entry for 黒紫 (Kokushi), “Same as Nasukon (茄子紺),” indicating that Kokushi and Nasukon refer to the same color.

Eggplants (茄子)

The eggplant (Solanum melongena) is an annual plant belonging to the Solanaceae family, originally native to India. It is also referred to as “nasubi” in Japanese. Classified as a light-colored vegetable, it is widely cultivated from tropical to temperate regions. Eggplants bloom pale purple flowers from summer to autumn. While their fruit is generally dark purple, variations include white and green eggplants, depending on the region and cultivar.

Incidentally, a “bokeh-nasu (惚け茄子),” meaning “dull-witted person” or “fool,” derives its name from the appearance of an eggplant whose skin has lost its luster and become dull, with a texture that has deteriorated, making it less appealing. The term metaphorically compares such characteristics to a person lacking sharpness or vibrancy.

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