Spangled Charm Wasabi

Middle Dutch spange, clasp / metal-disc — past-participle of spangle. As a color modifier, spangled implies a saturated-and-multi-point-reflective quality, the bright color of American-flag-stars and sequined-fabric metallic-disc-and-jewel-decoration. Sits at the bright-and-reflective end of the grid, parallel to glittering and sequined in usage.

Latin carmen, song-or-spell. As a color modifier, charm implies a beguiling-and-enchanted-and-disarming quality, the visual register of Provençal-troubadour-and-Renaissance-courtly-charm hand-beguiling-and-enchanted-and-disarming Provençal-troubadour-and-Renaissance-courtly-and-Belle-Époque-salon charmed-and-beguiling-and-enchanted-and-disarming surfaces under Provençal-troubadour-and-Renaissance-courtly-and-Belle-Époque-salon candlelit-and-rose-scented-and-disarming drawing-room-light. Sits at the modifier-and-mood end of the grid, parallel to grace and blithe in usage.

Eutrema japonicum, the river-grown rhizome from the cold streams of Honshu, ground fresh into the green paste that accompanies sushi in traditional Japanese restaurants. Most wasabi served outside Japan is dyed horseradish — the real plant is rare and expensive. The color refers to fresh-grated wasabi: a soft, slightly muted yellow-green with the matte finish of a wet plant cell wall, brighter than sage, drier than matcha.