The other night in a dream The Rose Bunny appeared to me as a beautiful woman with long white or brown hair, white heels, and a black and white Qipao, sometimes a pink or white minidress. She told me to write a book of Lavenderism where all of the gods and their mythologies are explained, as well as the basics of their worship and maybe depictions as well. However, another thing that happened over the course of that experience was that my teeth were dyed black in traditional Japanese style. I loved how black teeth looked on me and they felt to improve my dental health, but this message sent to me by the love goddess would be lost on modern people not familiar with teeth blackening, let alone the appreciation and understanding for this wonderful beauty tradition.

Before western beauty standards were imposed on the world through colonialism, teeth blackening was appreciated as a custom that helped enhance the beauty of women. It had protective properties over the teeth and it was considered a rite of passage for some as well. Most of those who had blackened teeth before were married women, sex workers, or male aristocrats who could afford it. In modern times it would be very easy to simply mix iron with vinegar, tea, or alcohol and apply it every few days to maintain the black color which seems like a wasted opportunity.

The ohaguro smile was a sign of true beauty in ancient Japan, so if The Rose Bunny visits you in a dream and gives you a mouth of black teeth, you can take it as a sign that you are desirable and that you are receiving her blessings.