Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan
JA | EN
Japan Cultural Expo
beyond2020
The Japanese Craft Expo 2022

Vegetable Dyes from Safflower
and Purple Gromwell

Plants that have been important sources of dyes Techniques
from the past that are still in use today

Society for the Preservation
of Japanese Handicrafts

 Designated in 1979 

6F Marunouchi Nijubashi Building, 3-2-2 Marunouchi,
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005

The beni or red-orange dye from the safflower (Carthamus tinctorius) and the root of the purple gromwell (Lithospermum erythrorhizon) have long been among the most important vegetable dyes in Japan, essential for the coloring of traditional clothing and handicrafts. Safflower was introduced to Japan in ancient times from Egypt and Asia Minor via China. Purple gromwell also received mention in the Manyōshū, Japan’s oldest extant anthology of poems believed to have been compiled in the 8th century. Its root is the source of a beautiful purple dye. The advantages of natural vegetable dyes are again being recognized and attracting attention today.

Harvesting safflower petals
Harvesting safflower petals
The petals are washed and dried. The piles, from left to right, have been drying for one, two, and three days, respectively.
The petals are washed and dried. The piles, from left to right, have been drying for one, two, and three days, respectively.
The dried, sticky petals are shaped into small circles (known as benimochi) resembling rice crackers
The dried, sticky petals are shaped into small circles (known as benimochi) resembling rice crackers
The benimochi are then dried in the sun
The benimochi are then dried in the sun
Checking on recently planted purple gromwell
Checking on recently planted purple gromwell
The plant grows to a height of about 65cm
The plant grows to a height of about 65cm
Harvesting the roots in the autumn
Harvesting the roots in the autumn
The dye obtained from the root
The dye obtained from the root