From Cohana’s Basic Colors: BARA

Japan has more than 460 traditional colors, each named after the landscapes and natural beauty of the changing seasons.

From this rich palette, Cohana carefully selected five signature colors inspired by the beauty, culture, and aesthetic sensibilities of Japan.

For our products, we use simple color names such as Yellow, Pink, Green, Blue, and Gray. Each of these colors is inspired by a traditional Japanese color with its own unique name and story.

Discover the story of BARA, one of Cohana's five signature colors, along with a selection of items in this beautiful shade. 

BARA means "rose color" in Japanese. While roses bloom in many different colors, BARA traditionally refers to a vivid rose pink or a soft rosy red. Bright yet gentle, this beautiful shade brings a sense of happiness, warmth, and elegance. 

In Japan, the word BARA is often used in expressions such as "a rosy life" or "a rosy future," symbolizing happiness, hope, and a fulfilling state of mind. 

Roses have a long history in Japan. Wild rose species are said to have existed in Japan since ancient times, and new varieties were introduced from China during the Heian period (794–1185). 

Admired for their beauty, roses became popular among aristocrats and appeared in classic works of Japanese literature, including Kokin Wakashu, The Pillow Book, and The Tale of Genji. 

The beauty of roses was also reflected in the layered colors of Heian court attire. One such combination, called Sobigasane (薔薇襲), paired shades of red and purple to evoke the image of roses.  

At that time, roses were not commonly called “bara” in Japanese. The kanji “薔薇” was read as shōbi in the Chinese-style reading and sōbi in the traditional Japanese reading. The modern reading bara is believed to have developed from the Japanese word ibara/ubara, referring to thorny shrubs, which was later applied as the native reading of the kanji.
The word “bara” became widely used after Western roses were introduced during the Meiji period (1868–1912). 

BARA tools bring a sense of comfort, joy, and gentle elegance to your handwork time. This beautiful shade stimulates creativity and sparks new ideas. Add a touch of BARA to your sewing collection, or collect several BARA tools to create a beautifully coordinated sewing box.