Beguiling Beni: Safflower Red in Japanese Fashion

Beguiling Beni: Safflower Red in Japanese Fashion is a new display at the V&A, London tells of the story of the Japanese dye 'beni', made from safflower petals which produces red hues and an iridescent green. This display reveals its many uses in fashion, from heel-less shoes by Noritaka Tatehana, to textiles, cosmetics and ukiyo-e woodblock prints.


Image: Textile length, by Yamaguchi Genbei, woven in 2010, dyed in 2016, Japan. Given by Yamaguchi Genbei. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Image above: Beautiful Tree, from the series Money Trees for Virtuous Women, by Utagawa Hiroshige, 1847 – 52, Japan. Museum no. E.4491A-1886. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

From textiles by by Yamaguchi Genbei, Fukaki Kurenai raw silk, by Somenotsukasa Yoshioka dye workshop and Heel-less shoes, by Noritaka Tatehana, discover the many uses of this ancient dyestuff. 


Image: Heel-less shoes, by Noritaka Tatehana, 2021, Japan. Given by Noritaka Tatehana and Isehan Honten Co., Ltd. Museum no. FE.202-2022. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Beguiling Beni: Safflower Red in Japanese Fashion is on at the V&A, London until 31 March 2024.

Read more about safflower in Selvedge issue 11, Why Man Made Yarn. 

Find out more:
www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/beguiling-beni-safflower-red-in-japanese-fashion