Of spirituality, weddings, deaths, seppuku and purity.
The white color is called shiro (白 ●しろ) and this beautiful kanji represents a ray coming out of the sun: easy to remember! Its roots lie in the ancient word ichishirushi (著しい ● いちじるしい) that means “remarkable” and refers to the striking quality of the white color.
As in many different cultures all around the world, 白 represents the concept of “purity”, both spiritual and physical. 白 is linked to the spiritual realm and this sacred color is prevalent in the national flag.
白 and Shinto.
Shiro is a sacred color of the kami (神). The Emperor of Japan – namely the main figure of Shinto – wears white clothes for the uppermost rituals: white garments are also used by Shinto priests and the shrine maidens called miko. White is also the color of the traditional Shinto brides’ dress.
白 and Buddhism.
In Buddhism, this color is linked also – but not exclusively – to the concepts of death and mourings. For example, funeral zones are marked with black and white striped curtains.
白 and Samurai.
Samurai culture, Shinto and Buddhism are strictly intertwined. 白 has been used for clothes and specific items involved in seppuku (切腹): the ritual suicide commonly known in western countries as hara kiri.
White clothes before Meiji period (1868 – 1912).During the past centuries, people had few chances to wear white clothes: weddings (if Shinto brides), funerals and other mourning occasions.
White clothes from Meiji period (1868 – 1912) on: western influence.
Because of the Western influence, the Japanese population began to use more and more frequently 白 color for everyday life items and dresses. Black (kuro ● 黒 ● くろ) is today the color primary associated with mourning.
Some expressions including 白:
- Geppaku (月白 ● げっぱく) means “moon white” and indicates the soft blue glow of the moonlight.
- Atama no nake ga masshiro (頭の中 が真っ白 ● あたまのなかまっしろ) means to have completely blanked out. In this case, 白 means “blank”.
- Shirokuro saseru (白黒させる ● しろくろさせる) means “to get clarity”.
- Shiroi me de miru (白い 目 で 見る ●しろい め で みる) is literally “look with the whites of one’s eyes” but really means “to treat coldly”.
- Me o shirokuro saseru (目 を 白黒 させる●めをしろくろ させる) is literally “make it black and white” but really means “to roll eyes in fright or surprise”.
- Shirokuro o tsukeru (白黒 を つける●しろくろをつける) is translatable as “to draw a line between black and white” and means “to clarify the difference between right and wrong, good and bad”.
Do you know any additional facts related to shiro ● 白? Please, share with us in the comment section below!
