November 10th Color Calendar: Rust Light Blue

November 10th, Color Calendar: Sabi Asagi

"There is a beauty that lies with time."

Sabi Asagi is a dull blue-green that resembles light blue with a hint of rust. It is a color that evokes the depth of something that has been around for a long time rather than something new. It has a quiet presence, like that of old cloth, old rags, or well-worn indigo-dyed clothing.

This color is imbued with memories. Like a cloth that has been worn by someone, washed countless times, and exposed to light and wind. Rust blue is a color that reflects the "time of life." It also looks good on folk art tableware, old noren curtains, and the pillars of townhouses.

On a day like today, try picking up a rust-blue fabric. You might be able to see someone's handiwork or the changing of the seasons behind the color.

This color is close to the "wabi" aesthetic of "wabi-sabi." Within the silence, there is a definite warmth and a story.

References

• "Traditional Japanese Colors" by Shikosha • "Japanese Color Handbook" edited by the Plant Dyeing Research Group • "Sabi Asagi" — irocore.com
• "Dictionary of Color Names for the Four Seasons" Kodansha