also: べんがら
red iron oxide; red ocher
A pigment used in traditional Japanese crafts, pottery, and painting. Derived from Dutch 'Bengala'.
from Dutch Bengala
The red color of this pottery is produced using red iron oxide.
Red ocher has been used since ancient times as a dye and paint.
Katakana spelling is standard; the word is usually written in kana.
Hiragana spelling, also common.
Ateji kanji form; rarely used.
Ateji kanji form; rarely used.
Ateji kanji form; rarely used.
Borrowed from Dutch 'Bengala', referring to Bengal in India, from where the pigment was historically imported.