Bengara is also called “tetsudan” or “beni” (red), and is sometimes used as “beni-ka” (red) or “bengara” (red). It is mainly composed of iron oxide and is used as a pigment for black glaze, persimmon glaze, candy glaze, and celadon, and as a black glaze for underglaze painting and as a red coloring for overglaze painting. It is said to have been so named because it was first introduced from Bengal.
It was first widely used as a paint pigment, and was applied to the walls of torii gates, shrines and temples, etc., probably for its antiseptic and insect repellent effects.
