Tamenuri is an ancient traditional Urushi technique. ‘Kuro-beni’ is a reddish black or blackish red. In Japan, it was used as a base color for expensive kosode (short-sleeved kimono) in the early Edo period.

“Kuro-beni” is also cited in the novel “Yorozu no Fumi Hougu” by Ihara Saikaku, a famous writer of the Edo period. The ‘Kuro-beni Tamenuri’ artist, Kosyu Nishihara has hand-painted his signature and serial numbers on each barrel.