During the Nara period (710-794), Ibukiyama near Lake Biwa (Shiga Prefecture) is renowned for the quality of its karyasu thanks to favorable growing conditions.
The dye is often confused, because of the proximity of its components, with that extracted from kobunagusa (Arthraxon hispidus L.).
The use of Miscanthus tinctorius is attested in written sources until the 8th century AD. The yellow dye cited in "Ebukuryo" (Garnment code from 8th century AD) may be Karyasu but could also be Kuchinashi (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) or Kihada (Phellodendron amurense).
A recipe for preparing the dye is given in the "Engishiki" which is a collection of laws and regulations dating from the 10th century.
It seems to have been widely used for dyeing clothes of common people and clothes of Buddhist monks.
It is often used in combination with indigo especially Polygonum tinctorium to get greens.
Its use to dye thin papers is mentioned in "Makura no Soshi" or "The pillow book", treaty by Seisho Nagon from the 11th century.
It seems it would have also been used in printing prints despite its very little resistance to light.
