Toki-iro

The pale pink of the flight feathers of the crested ibis. In the Edo period, it was called Tokiha-iro. Like Nadeshiko-iro, it was an essential color for the attire of young people, and it conveys youth and gentleness. It is said that crested ibises could be seen in many parts of Japan in the Edo period. The bird was designated a Special Natural Monument in the Showa period, yet the Japanese-born crested ibis became extinct in 2003. Captive breeding of crested ibises from China later succeeded, and as of November 2019, about 400 birds apparently live on Sado Island in Japan. Its scientific name is Nipponia nippon. As its scientific name suggests, it is hoped that both the breeding of the crested ibis and the use of this color will be passed on.