Iron Oxide Red: Ukiyo-e colorant
Iron oxide red 弁柄 (bengara): A natural colorant derived from hematite, a metallic black-gray or dark red mineral primarily composed of iron oxide or from red ochre, an earth pigment containing hematite, clay, and silica. Red ochre can also be made by roasting yellow ochre. While the type of iron oxide red used in ukiyo-e prints has not been identified, the most likely source is a manufactured iron oxide red. During the Edo period (1603–1868), rōha bengara (ローハベンガラ) and tettan bengara (鉄丹ベンガラ) were manufactured. Rōha bengara was made by roasting Melanterite (rōha or ryokuban 緑礬), an iron sulphate that naturally forms or is artificially produced from an iron sulphide byproduct of copper mining. After the roasting process, it was crushed and levigated to produce fine particles of iron oxide red. Manufactured in Fukiya, it appears to have dominated the market and is known to have been used in porcelain, such as Arita ware and lacquerware. Tettan bengara was made from burning rusted iron scraps and was considered to be of lesser quality than rōha bengara.
Iron oxide red has been the most commonly found brown whether used alone or in mixtures. When printed, it appears dense and opaque. Iron oxide red has been found on early hand-colored to full-color prints throughout the Edo period. The color can range from a bright light red to a deep almost maroon brown.
For additional information see: Hematite, Ferric oxide, Red ochre
Examples of Iron oxide red in Ukiyo-e Prints
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Analysis
X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) is used to detect iron (Fe). When it is found in a red/brown area, it is an indication for the presence of iron oxide red (Fe2O3).
XRF spectrum of Iron oxide red
Images of Iron oxide red
Hematite
Hematite
Hematite
Ferric oxide
Red ocher
Iron oxide red
Printed iron oxide red
Red ochre, by National Museum of American History
Future of bengara (video), by Science Channel (JST)
Ochres (audio), by Harvard Art Museums
List of Prints
Below is a list of prints where iron oxide red was detected.
Pages in category "Iron Oxide Red: Ukiyo-e colorant"
The following 59 pages are in this category, out of 59 total.
E
- Eisen, Fujieda: Kichô of the Owariya, from the series A Tôkaidô Board Game of Courtesans: Fifty-three Pairings in the Yoshiwara, 11.17946
- Eisen, Minazuru-hime as Ono no Komachi and Benkei as Kisen Hôshi, from the series Characters from the Life of Ushiwaka as the Six Poetic Immortals, 11.25669
- Eizan, Kashiku of the Tsuruya, from the series Array of Beauties of the Pleasure Quarters, 11.17716
H
- Harunobu, Ebisu and Ofuji, from the series The Seven Gods of Good Fortune in the Modern World, 34.343
- Harunobu, Osen of the Kagiya and a Young Man with a Cat, 11.19496
- Harunobu, Poem by Saigyô Hôshi, from an untitled series of Three Evening Poems, 34.348
- Harunobu, Young Woman Tuning a Shamisen, 06.479
- Hiroshige I, Naitô Shinjuku, Yotsuya, from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, 11.35823
- Hiroshige I, The Yodo River, from the series Famous Views of Kyoto, 11.2111
- Hiroshige I/Hiroshige II, Ueno Yamashita, from the series One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, 11.35842
- Hokusai, An no Heibei with a Courtesan, from an untitled series of the Five Manly Men, 11.16854
- Hokusai, Ariwara Narihira, from an untitled series of the Six Poetic Immortals formed by the characters for their names, 11.17502
- Hokusai, Bun'ya no Yasuhide, from an untitled series of the Six Poetic Immortals formed by the characters for their names, 11.17501
- Hokusai, Carp and Iris, 11.20430
- Hokusai, Chinese Boys Pulling a Cart, 21.10201
- Hokusai, Courtesan, Guest, and Pet Monkey, 21.9222
- Hokusai, Duck, Abalone Shell, and Parsley, 11.16798
- Hokusai, Eggs and Taro Roots, 11.16760
- Hokusai, Evening Bell for Oume and Kumenosuke, from the untitled series known as Eight Views of Tragic Lovers, 21.10194
- Hokusai, Exhibition of Flower Arrangements in a Room Overlooking the Sumida River, 11.19658
- Hokusai, Express Delivery Boats Rowing through Waves, from an untitled series of landscapes in Western style, 21.6678
- Hokusai, Ferry Boat, 11.19657
- Hokusai, Fine Wind, Clear Weather, also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.6754
- Hokusai, Fine Wind, Clear Weather, also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.6756
- Hokusai, Fine Wind, Clear Weather, also known as Red Fuji, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 34.314
- Hokusai, Fish, Flowers, and Telescope, 11.20408
- Hokusai, Kajikazawa in Kai Province, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, 21.6773
- Hokusai, Komagata-dô Temple (R) and Onmaya Embankment (L), from the series A Set of Horses, 21.10240-1
- Hokusai, Komagata-dô Temple (R), Onmaya Embankment (C), and the Hitching Stone (L), from the series A Set of Horses, 54.259-61
- Hokusai, Ladies Trading With a Peddler of Cosmetics and Accessories, 11.19659
- Hokusai, Mount Fuji under High Bridge, from an untitled series of landscapes in Western style, 21.6675
- Hokusai, Susaki, from the series Three Shrines of the Goddess Benten, 11.20451
- Hokusai, Tea Ceremony, from the series Thirty-six Assorted Arts, 53.2718
- Hokusai, The Jewel River of Bush-clover (Hagi), at Noji in Ômi Province, from the series Fashionable Six Jewel Rivers, 11.20453
- Hokusai, The Kyôgen Play Utsubo Zaru, 11.19635
- Hokusai, View of Koshigoe from Shichiri-ga-hama, 21.9224
- Hokusai, View of Koshigoe from Shichiri-ga-hama, 34.327
- Hokusai, View of Noboto Beach at Low Tide from the Salt Beds at Gyôtoku, from an untitled series of landscapes in Western style, 21.6676
- Hokusai, Women and Children Returning from an Inari Shrine Festival, 11.19636
- Hokusai, Yoritomo's Camp in the Foothills of Mount Fuji, 11.19662
- Hokusai, Ôkuninushi no Mikoto, the White Hare of Inaba, and the Crocodiles, 21.9245
K
- Kiyomitsu I, Actor Segawa Kikunojô II as Seryômura Okiku, 11.18992
- Kunisada, Moon Viewing at Mukôjima, a Triptych, from the series Moon, Snow and Flowers, 11.15216
- Kunisada, Young Woman Pointing and Giggling, from the series Types of the Floating World Seen through a Physiognomist's Glass, 34.471
- Kuniyoshi, (Actor Ichikawa Ebizô V as) Inuyama Dôsetsu, from the series The Lives of Eight Brave and Loyal Dog Heroes, 11.28841
- Kuniyoshi, Drying Board Suggesting Hiyodorigoe, from the series Women in Benkei-checked Fabrics, 11.36363
- Kuniyoshi, Ruan Xiaowu, the Short-lived Second Son, from the series One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Shuihuzhuan, 64.800
- Kuniyoshi, Takeout Sushi Suggesting Ataka, from the series Women in Benkei-checked Fabrics, 11.36360
- Kuniyoshi, Tsumagome: Abe no Yasuna and the Fox Kuzunoha, from the series Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaidô Road, 11.41803