The Japanese name "紺色" (kon-iro) describes a deep blue-purple — a deep indigo. In ancient Japan, the dyers who produced indigo-dyed cloth were called "紺屋" (konya). As cotton became widespread, konya became synonymous with all dyeing workshops. Kon-iro is a color deeply familiar to the Japanese people, frequently worn in daily life. Even today, the hakama worn in kendo and kyudo are kon-iro, and many business suits share this hue.