priest robes; priesthood
Abbreviation of 墨染めの衣 (sumizome no koromo), referring to the black robes worn by Buddhist priests. By extension, can indicate the priesthood itself.
See also: 墨染めの衣 (すみぞめのころも)
Black clothing worn for mourning. This usage is less common in modern Japanese, where 喪服 (mofuku) is the standard term.
A kimono dyed black has a calm atmosphere.
Stars shone in the ink-black sky.
He donned priest robes and devoted himself to training.
A monk in black robes walked quietly.
There was a custom of wearing black mourning clothes at funerals.
Standard spelling for the general meaning of dyeing black or being dyed black.
Variant spelling without okurigana; less common but still used, especially in literary or abbreviated contexts.
Formed from 墨, “black ink,” and 染め, “dyeing.” It denotes black dyeing or black-dyed cloth and became associated especially with Buddhist robes and mourning dress.