What is "Meiji no Iro" ink?
"Meiji no Iro" ink is a collection of colored inks inspired by the popular colors of the Meiji era.
Kuretake Co., Ltd. was founded in 1902 (Meiji 35).
To commemorate our 120th anniversary, we selected six ink colors based on the Meiji era, reflecting on the period 120 years ago.
As you use them, we hope you enjoy the historical background embedded in each and every color!
Introducing the Lineup
■Ebi-cha (Grape Tea / Deep Reddish Brown)
In the Meiji era, purple was considered a noble color used by aristocrats. As using purple directly was seen as overly reverent, Ebi-cha, an alternative to purple, became widely used.
"Ebi-cha" refers to a dark red color with a slight purplish tint. During the period when the trend of female students flourished, the "Ebi-cha" (蝦茶 / 葡萄茶) color became highly popular for women's hakama.
Product Name: ink-café Meiji no Iro / Ebi-cha
Product Number: ECF160-531
■Araishu (Washed Vermillion)
In the late Meiji period, new traditional Japanese-style colors emerged, reflecting a high regard for Japanese culture. One of these was Araishu. "Araishu" refers to a bright "vermillion" color, as if it has been washed, or a faded, pale vermillion.
Product Name: ink-café Meiji no Iro / Araishu
Product Number: ECF160-532
■Shinbashi-iro (Shinbashi Blue)
In the late Meiji period, new colors emerged due to chemical dyes. This bright blue-green became a fashionable color, favored by geisha in Shinbashi, among other entertainment districts, and became extremely popular. It was also known as "Komparu-iro."
Product Name: ink-café Meiji no Iro / Shinbashi-iro
Product Number: ECF160-533
■Kurogane-iro (Iron Color)
Kurogane-iro (Iron Color) was a popular color from the mid-Meiji period to the Taisho era. It is a dull, dark bluish-green, often used for aprons worn by shop managers and clerks. Gold was called "kogane," silver "shirogane," copper "akagane," and iron "kurogane."
Product Name: ink-café Meiji no Iro / Kurogane-iro
Product Number: ECF160-534
■Kujaku-ryoku (Peacock Green)
In the Meiji era, this color was introduced from the West. It is a vibrant blue-green, like the beautiful blue-green feathers of a peacock. Peacocks have been loved in Japan since ancient times, and their recognition among the common people is said to have increased during the Edo period. It is curious that a color named after the peacock was not created until the Meiji era.
Product Name: ink-café Meiji no Iro / Kujaku-ryoku
Product Number: ECF160-535
■Shikon (Deep Purple)
The Meiji era was called the "Age of Purple," with colors like "Fuji-iro" (wisteria color) and "Murasaki-iro" (purple), which inherited the "iki" (chicness) of Edo, being prominent in women's clothing and emerging as popular colors after the Meiji period.
Product Name: ink-café Meiji no Iro / Shikon
Product Number: ECF160-536