November 21st Color Calendar Black and Red

November 21st Color Calendar

Kurobeni

"An unspoken crimson burns deep within the silence."

Kurobeni is a deep crimson that is close to black. It is a color that harbors the passion of crimson and combines serenity and elegance. It is hidden from view on the outside, but is hidden in the lining or undergarment of a kimono - it is a color that symbolizes the sophistication of the Edo period.

This color is a subdued "inner crimson." It evokes the night when a love letter could not be sent, the fire burning on the hearth in a tea room, or the silence of the mountains after the autumn leaves have faded. Dark crimson is a color that reflects such "unspoken feelings" and "lingering feelings of an end."

November 21st is around the time of Robaki (opening of the hearth). It is the day when the fire is lit in the tea room for the first time, and marks the beginning of winter. Like the fire, the dark red color quietly but surely warms the heart. It is a day that is fitting for the season when the contrast between the cold outside and the warmth inside is striking.

"The unspoken" and "the heat hidden within" are important themes in WABISUKE's philosophy. Black crimson is the perfect symbol of this. It is a color that adds depth to a space and gently conveys unspoken emotions.

References

• "Traditional Japanese Colors" by Shikosha • "Japanese Color Handbook" edited by the Plant Dyeing Research Group • Black Red – The ABCs of Traditional Colors • "Color Culture of Edo" by Yoshikawa Kobunkan