also: かつ · かちん
noun
dark indigo; almost black
Refers to a very dark blue-black color, often used in traditional dyeing. Related to 褐色 (かちいろ).
See also: 褐色
褐は、昔の武士の鎧の色として使われた。
Dark indigo was used as the color of armor for ancient warriors.
noun
coarse cloth
Historical term for a rough, homespun fabric, often made from hemp or other plant fibers. Rare in modern usage.
褐は、庶民の衣服に使われた粗い布地である。
Coarse cloth was a rough fabric used for commoners' clothing.
Obsolete kana form; not used in modern Japanese.
Alternate reading; less common than かち.
褐色 specifically refers to the dark indigo color, while 褐 can also mean coarse cloth.
The kanji 褐 originally referred to coarse cloth or a dark color. The reading かち is of uncertain origin, possibly from an old Japanese word for dark dye.