November 11th Color Calendar Shironeri

November 11th, Color Calendar: Shironeri

"White is not nothing. It is the color that encompasses everything."

Shironeri is a white that is as smooth as silk. It is not pure white, but a soft white with a hint of warmth. This color, reminiscent of the texture of silk, has been used for formal wear and costumes since ancient times.

November 11th is known as "Pocky Day," and the color of the white paste is also often used for wrapping paper and gift wrapping. It's the perfect color for a day that combines playfulness and purity.

This color has the beauty of blank space. It seems as if nothing is drawn on it, yet it has the power to accept everything. Shironeri is pure, yet like a cloth that is imbued with memories. It is a color that, when it falls into someone's hands, begins a story.

On a day like today, try writing a letter on white paper. Your words will arrive quietly, enveloped in color.

References

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