Traditional Colors in Atsuta Shrine : through the Survey in Kinen-sai, Onzo-sai, Rei-sai, and Otaue-sai

Abstract

Nowaday, the tradition and culture of the Heian period are inherited in the Shito festivals. This research foucuses on social stautus, ranks, directions, symbols of the Japanese traditional colors. The results of the survey are as follow: (1) In the Shito's grand festival in Japan, Shinshoku or people in Shito's divine occupation wear different color of "Hou" which is a coat upon "Hitoe." "Hou" is classified into ranks by colors: black, red and blue according to the positions of "Shishoku." "Sashinuki" is a Japanese pleated skirtlike garment. It indicates the personal qualification by different colors: white crested Hakama, crested deep purple, not crested purple, not crested pale green. (2) The Japanese traditional colors in the Heian Period were considerably related to the directions based on the Inyou-Gogyou setsu. The east was the most significant direction. (3) In the Inyou-Gogyou setsu, the color of "Hou, " black, red and blue meant the four seasons: blue corresponded spring, red to summer, white to fall and black to winter. The white color also implied "purity."