歯は黒ぐろ

noun

tooth blackening; ohaguro

Historical practice in Japan, especially among married women and aristocrats, of dyeing teeth black using a solution of iron filings and vinegar. Now obsolete except in traditional performances or historical contexts. Often referred to as お歯黒 in modern Japanese.

See also: お歯黒

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいには、既き婚こん女じょ性せいが歯は黒ぐろをしていた。

  In the Edo period, married women practiced tooth blackening.

• 歯は黒ぐろは、鉄漿はぐろとも呼よばれる染せん料りょうで行おこなわれた。

  Tooth blackening was done with a dye also called 鉄漿.