shiroji

Shiroji (白地) is a Japanese term that means “white ground” or “white background.” It is used across several fields to denote areas that are left unprinted or uncolored, as well as the natural white color of materials such as paper or fabric before dye or ink is applied.

In graphic design, typography, and printing, shiroji refers to the background surface on which text or images appear. Patterns and motifs described in textiles, traditional crafts, and fashion may be described as “shiroji” when the base fabric or base color is white, for example “white ground with blue patterns” (白地に青模様). In art and painting, the term can describe the white space surrounding a composition or the inherent whiteness of a surface that influences light and color perception.

The concept often appears in contrast with kuroi (黒地), meaning a dark ground or background, though kuroi is less common in everyday usage. Etymologically, shiroji comes from the characters 白 (white) and 地 (ground or base).

Overall, shiroji emphasizes the functional and aesthetic role of white space or a white base in design, patterns, and visual communication. It highlights how a white background can shape balance, contrast, and legibility within a composition.