blackening

Japanese noblewomen blacken their teeth using a solution made by soaking nails or iron shavings in tea or rice wine. Powdered galls-swellings on a plant that grow around parasites, such as insects or fungi-also could be added as a dye. After painting their teeth with a soft feather brush, the women sit with their lips drawn back until the dye dries. If the dye is not applied every day or two, the teeth fade to gray with black streaks.