紅白（こうはく）Kohaku

. The Minamoto clan fought with a white flag and the Taira clan fought with a red flag.

　At sports festivals, people often fight by dividing into red and white. Since the Chinese character for “beni(red)” is not often used in elementary schools, some schools use “aka(red)” instead of “beni(red)” to make the colors “red and white.

　Also, since it is easy to divide into two sets, elementary schools often use red and white hats with red and white on the front and back sides.

　Red and white also has the meaning of a special occasion.

　Red and white curtains are sometimes used for celebrations, and red and white rice cakes or manjuu (buns) are sometimes handed out.