Hanadairo
One of the old indigo blues, hanadairo traces to a dye known as hanada, made from the tsuyukusa dayflower; the result is a pale yet clear and open blue.
How it was dyed in 927
The Engishiki — the court regulations completed in 927 — records exactly what the palace dyehouse was allotted to dye this color. Quantities are per bolt of cloth; units are left in the original (1 kin ≈ 600 g, 1 shō ≈ 0.7 L in later standards — Heian equivalents are debated).
深縹 こきはなだ Deep hanada blue
The Engishiki also gives scaled quantities for: 1 bolt of plain silk · 1 skein of silk thread · 1 bolt of fine hemp cloth.
中縹 なかのはなだ Medium hanada blue
The Engishiki also gives scaled quantities for: 1 bolt of plain silk · 1 skein of silk thread.
次縹 つぎのはなだ Second hanada blue
The Engishiki also gives scaled quantities for: 1 skein of silk thread.
浅縹 あさはなだ Pale hanada blue
The Engishiki also gives scaled quantities for: 1 bolt of plain silk · 1 skein of silk thread.
Original text 原文
深縹綾一疋、藍十囲、薪六十斤、帛一疋、藍十囲、薪一百廿斤、糸一絇、藍四囲、薪卌斤、貲布一端、乾藍二斗、灰一斗、薪卅斤、
中縹綾一疋、藍七囲、薪九十斤、帛一疋、藍五囲、薪六十斤、糸一絇、藍二囲、薪卅斤、
次縹帛一疋、藍四囲、薪六十斤、糸一絇、藍一囲大半、薪廿斤、
浅縹綾一疋、藍一囲、薪卅斤、帛一疋、藍半囲、薪卅斤、糸一絇、藍大半囲、薪廿斤、
Text: 『デジタル延喜式』校訂文（縫殿寮）, National Museum of Japanese History · 1900 printed edition (NDL)
Tints & shades
Harmonies within the tradition
Complementary and triadic companions, chosen from real traditional colors — not computed values.
Similar colors
The namesake
ツユクサ 露草の花 — what the name literally points to.
