red earth; vermilion
Refers to red-colored earth or pigment, historically containing cinnabar or minium. Often used in traditional contexts, such as in art, architecture, or place names.
この神社の鳥居は丹で塗られている。
The torii gate of this shrine is painted with vermilion.
丹の産地として知られる地域がある。
There are regions known for producing red earth.
red; red color
greenish-black earth; dark greenish-black pigment · green verditer; artificial green pigment · dark green tinged with yellow; deep yellowish-green color
painting red; vermillion lacquering
flower urchin
The kanji 丹 originally depicts a cinnabar ore or red pigment. The reading に is of native Japanese origin, referring to red earth or vermilion. The exact derivation is uncertain, but it has been used since ancient times for pigments and dyes.