There are various theories about the origin of Edo purple, but it is said that this name came from the fact that it was dyed in Edo using purple grass native to Musashino during the Edo period.

Edo purple is a strongly bluish purple that is often paired with kyomurasaki, a strongly reddish purple.

In addition, the vivid and beautiful Edo purple is also called "imamurasaki" and is paired with the dull ancient purple (kodaimurasaki).

In the popular Kabuki performance "Sukeroku Yukari no Edo Zakura", the color of the bowl roll wrapped by the main character, Sukeroku is known as Edo purple.