[Explanation of a color]

Shuiro (朱色) refers to a bright red color with a yellowish hue, commonly associated with the red ink used in seals. It is an ancient color name based on red pigments, encompassing a wide range of shades from strong red to yellowish red.

Shuiro is one of the oldest pigments used in Japan, dating back to the Jomon period. Artifacts such as pottery and clay figurines adorned with this color have been unearthed from shell mounds, indicating that people of the time valued shuiro as a special color.

Technically, the pigment derived from the natural mineral cinnabar (shinsha, 辰砂) is called shinshu (真朱), while the artificial red pigment made from mercury sulfide is called ginshu (銀朱). Historically, shinshu, made from natural sources, was considered superior, while ginshu, produced artificially, was regarded as a secondary option. In modern times, shuiro generally refers to the color of ginshu.

Shuiro has long held symbolic significance, representing authority and sanctity. In Japan, shuiro is prominently featured in Shinto shrine gates (torii), where it is believed to ward off evil spirits and mark sacred spaces. In modern times, the red ink used in seals (shuniku) continues to serve as a symbol of official approval and formality.

During the Sengoku period, shuiro was also a mark of distinction on the battlefield. The “shuyari” (朱槍), spears coated in shuiro, were granted only to warriors who had achieved exceptional military accomplishments. This highlights how shuiro has transcended its role as a mere color, becoming a symbol of status and honor deeply rooted in Japanese culture from ancient times to the present day.

-read:Shu-iro-