Traditional colors of Japan

Template:More footnotesThe traditional colors of Japan are a collection of colors traditionally used in Japanese art, literature, textiles such as kimono, and other Japanese arts and crafts.

History

The traditional colors of Japan trace their historical origins to the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System which was established in 603 by Prince Shōtoku and based on the five Chinese elements. In this system, rank and social hierarchy were displayed and determined by certain colors. Colors known as were strictly reserved for the robes of the Imperial family and highest ranking court officials; for example, the color was used as the color for the robes of the Crown Prince and use by anyone else was prohibited. Colors known as were permitted for use by the common people.

Most names of colors originate from the names of plants, flowers, and animals that bore or resembled them. Certain colors and dyeing techniques have been used since the Asuka period, while others had been developed as late as the Meiji period when synthetic dyes became common. Due to the long history of use of this color system, some variations in color and names exist.

Colors

Red/violet series

Name	Romanized	English translation	RGB	Hex triplet	Name	Romanized	English translation	RGB	Hex triplet
	Template:Translit	One kin (Template:Cvt) dye	240,143,144	#F08F90		Template:Translit	Peach-colored	244,121,131	#F47983
	Template:Translit	Red plum colored	219,90,107	#DB5A6B		Template:Translit	Medium crimson (dye)	201,55,86	#C93756
	Template:Translit	Cherry blossom color	252,201,185	#FCC9B9		Template:Translit	Washed-out crimson (dye)	255,179,167	#FFB3A7
	Template:Translit	Pale crimson (dye)	242,102,108	#F2666C

Red series

Name	Romanized	English translation	RGB	Hex triplet	Name	Romanized	English translation	RGB	Hex triplet
	Template:Translit	Ibis wing color	245,143,132	#F58F84		Template:Translit	Cherry blossom mouse grey	172,129,118	#AC8181
	Template:Translit	Long spring (season) color	185,87,84	#B95754		Template:Translit	Foreign crimsonTemplate:Efn	201,31,55	#C91F37
	Template:Translit	Cochineal red/rouge	157,41,51	#9D2933		Template:Translit	Deep scarlet	123,59,58	#7B3B3A
	Template:Translit	Thrice-dyed crimson	247,102,90	#F7665A		Template:Translit	Water persimmon	181,108,96	#B56C60
	Template:Translit	Plum-blossom mouse grey	151,100,90	#97645A		Template:Translit	Sappanwood incense	162,79,70	#A24F46
	Template:Translit	Pure crimson (dye)	195,39,43	#C3272B		Template:Translit	True red	143,29,33	#8F1D21
	Template:Translit	Azuki bean color	103,36,34	#672422		Template:Translit	Greyed red (lit. silvered red)	188,45,41	#BC2D29
	Template:Translit	Maroon (shrimp brown)	94,40,36	#5E2824		Template:Translit	Red-brown (lit. chestnut-plum)	139,53,45	#8B352D
	Template:Translit	Dawn-color	250,123,98	#FA7B62		Template:Translit	Coral color	248,103,79	#F8674F
	Template:Translit	Red-orange (lit. orangutan-colored)	220,48,35	#DC3023		Template:Translit	Wilted brown (lit. wilted lawn-clippings)	171,76,61	#AB4C3D
	Template:Translit	Persimmon-juice color	147,67,55	#934337		Template:Translit	Red birch	157,43,34	#9D2B22
	Template:Translit	Red kite (bird species)	145,50,40	#913228		Template:Translit	Cypress bark red	111,48,40	#6F3028
	Template:Translit	Black kite (bird species)	53,30,28	#351E1C		Template:Translit	Blood red	243,83,54	#F35336
	Template:Translit	Glazed persimmon	211,78,54	#D34E36		Template:Translit	Scarlet (blood)	207,58,36	#CF3A24
	Template:Translit	Red-brown (Edo brown)	161,61,45	#A13D2D		Template:Translit	Dyestalk red (lit. the color from dying with the stalk of the Template:Translit (safflower) plant)	145,50,37	#913225
	Template:Translit	Cypress bark color	117,46,35	#752E23		Template:Translit	Meat-color	249,144,111	#F9906F
	Template:Translit	Rinsed-out red	255,121,82	#FF7952		Template:Translit	Red incense-colored	240,127,94	#F07F5E
	Template:Translit	Brewed mustard-brown	230,131,100	#E68364		Template:Translit	Ochre (earthen yellow-red-brown)	255,78,32	#FF4E20
	Template:Translit	Overdyed/refreshed red-brown	227,92,56	#E35C38		Template:Translit	Muddy brown (lit. the brown of a distant river)	203,102,73	#CB6649
	Template:Translit	Spicy red-brown (Chinese tea brown)	179,92,68	#B35C44		Template:Translit	Birch brown	177,74,48	#B14A30
	Template:Translit	Faded spicy red-brown	155,83,63	#9B533F		Template:Translit	Sparrow-brown	140,71,54	#8C4736
	Template:Translit	Chestnut-leather brown	96,40,30	#60281E		Template:Translit	Boiled red bean brown	84,45,36	#542D24
	Template:Translit	Ibis-color	76,34,27	#4C221B		Template:Translit	Cinnabar-color	255,53,0	#FF3500

Yellow/red series

Name	Romanized	English translation	RGB	Hex triplet	Name	Romanized	English translation	RGB	Hex triplet
	Template:Translit	Walnut-dyed	159,116,98	#9F7462		Template:Translit	Cattail color	182,73,37	#B64925
	Template:Translit	Sumac-dyed	89,43,31	#592B1F		Template:Translit	Scorched brown	53,31,25	#351F19
	Template:Translit	Rich gardenia	245,127,79	#F57F4F		Template:Translit	Washed-out persimmon	236,130,84	#EC8254
	Template:Translit	Red ochre color	159,82,51	#9F5233		Template:Translit	Sawtooth oak	236,149,108	#EC956C
	Template:Translit	Polished brown	152,85,56	#985538		Template:Translit	Green tea-colored	130,75,53	#824B35
	Template:Translit	Stylish persimmon	255,162,107	#FFA26B		Template:Translit	Pale persimmon	252,164,116	#FCA474
	Template:Translit	Daylily-colored	255,137,54	#FF8936		Template:Translit	Plum-dyed	250,146,88	#FA9258
	Template:Translit	Red-bronze (lit. red dye and turmeric)	251,129,54	#FB8136		Template:Translit	Clove-brown	143,88,60	#8F583C
	Template:Translit	named after the swordsman Yoshioka Kenpo (lit. Legal dye)	46,33,27	#2E211B		Template:Translit	Loquat tree-brown	171,97,52	#AB6134
	Template:Translit	Amber color	202,105,36	#CA6924		Template:Translit	Pale incense	255,165,101	#FFA565
	Template:Translit	Decaying leaves color	213,120,53	#D57835		Template:Translit	Golden brown	198,107,39	#C66B27
	Template:Translit	Clove-dyed	169,98,50	#A96232		Template:Translit	Fox-color	152,86,41	#985629
	Template:Translit	Brushwood-dyed	140,89,57	#8C5939		Template:Translit	Aloewood-color	106,67,45	#6A432D
	Template:Translit	Weathered bamboo (lit. "sooty")	89,58,39	#593A27		Template:Translit	White tea-colored	196,142,105	#C48E69
	Template:Translit	Ochre (lit. earthen yellow)	190,127,81	#BE7F51		Template:Translit	Golden-grey bamboo (dried and weathered)	125,78,45	#7D4E2D
	Template:Translit	Chinese yellow tea-colored	183,112,45	#B7702D		Template:Translit	Kobi tea	107,68,35	#6B4423
	Template:Translit	Red fallen leaves	219,132,73	#DB8449

Yellow series

Name	Romanized	English	RGB	Hex triplet	Name	Romanized	English	RGB	Hex triplet
	Template:Translit	Light yellow	247,187,125	#F7BB7D		Template:Translit	Golden yellow (Kerria japonica)	255,164,0	#FFA400
	Template:Translit	Egg-colored	255,166,49	#FFA631		Template:Translit	Sumac-dyed	224,138,30	#E08A1E
	Template:Translit	Gold-brown	203,126,31	#CB7E1F		Template:Translit	Mulberry-dyed	197,127,46	#C57F2E
	Template:Translit	The color of undried plaster	120,94,73	#785E49		Template:Translit	Cape jasmine or gardenia	255,185,90	#FFB95A
	Template:Translit	Corn-colored	250,169,69	#FAA945		Template:Translit	White oak	206,159,111	#CE9F6F
	Template:Translit	Golden oak	187,129,65	#BB8141		Template:Translit	Gamboge	255,182,30	#FFB61E
	Template:Translit or Template:Translit	Floral leaf-colored	255,185,78	#FFB94E		Template:Translit	Eggshell paper-colored	226,190,159	#E2BE9F
	Template:Translit	Turmeric-colored	230,155,58	#E69B3A		Template:Translit	Golden fallen leaves	226,156,69	#E29C45
	Template:Translit	Faded Sen no Rikyū's tea	176,146,122	#B0927A		Template:Translit	Sen no Rikyū's tea	130,107,88	#826B58
	Template:Translit	Lye-colored	127,107,93	#7F6B5D		Template:Translit	Japanese iris and sooty bamboo	127,93,59	#7F5D3B
	Template:Translit	Contemplation in a tea garden	102,83,67	#665343		Template:Translit	Simmered seaweed	76,61,48	#4C3D30
	Template:Translit	Rapeseed oil-colored	161,121,23	#A17917		Template:Translit	Yellow Sea pine-brown	137,108,57	#896C39
	Template:Translit	Japanese bush warbler-brown (greenish brown)	92,72,39	#5C4827		Template:Translit	Rape-blossom brown	227,177,48	#E3B130
	Template:Translit	Japanese triandra grass (Themeda japonica)	226,177,60	#E2B13C		Template:Translit	Amur cork tree (Phellodendron amurense)	243,193,58	#F3C13A
	Template:Translit	Steamed chestnut color	211,177,125	#D3B17D		Template:Translit	Pale fallen leaves	170,135,54	#AA8736
	Template:Translit	Finch-brown (Cardueline finch)	149,123,56	#957B38		Template:Translit	Patrinia flowers (Patrinia scabiosaefolia)	217,182,17	#D9B611
	Template:Translit	Japanese bush warbler-colored	100,85,48	#645530

Yellow/green series

Name	Romanized	English	RGB	Hex triplet	Name	Romanized	English	RGB	Hex triplet
	Template:Translit	Greenfinch color	189,169,40	#BDA928		Template:Translit	Pale oak	155,168,141	#9BA88D
	Template:Translit	Willow tea	156,138,77	#9C8A4D		Template:Translit	Rikan brown	83,74,50	#534A32
	Template:Translit	Indigo tea	71,63,45	#473F2D		Template:Translit	Moss color	139,125,58	#8B7D3A
	Template:Translit	Codium fragile seaweed color	82,75,42	#524B2A		Template:Translit	Thousand year old brown	59,52,41	#3B3429
	Template:Translit	Baiko brown	133,124,85	#857C55		Template:Translit	Iwai brownTemplate:Sfn	94,85,69	#5E5545
	Template:Translit	Siskin sprout yellow	122,148,46	#7A942E		Template:Translit	Sooty willow bamboo	77,75,58	#4D4B3A
	Template:Translit	Underside of willow leaves	188,181,140	#BCB58C		Template:Translit	Pale young green onion	141,178,85	#8DB255
	Template:Translit	Willow-dyed	140,158,94	#8C9E5E		Template:Translit	Fresh onion	91,137,48	#5B8930
	Template:Translit	Blue-black clay	82,89,59	#52593B		Template:Translit	Pine needle color	69,77,50	#454D32

Green/blue green series

Name	Romanized	English	RGB	Hex triplet	Name	Romanized	English	RGB	Hex triplet
	Template:Translit	Pale blue	140,156,118	#8C9C76		Template:Translit	Young bamboo color	107,147,98	#6B9362
	Template:Translit	Willow grey	129,123,105	#817B69		Template:Translit	Old bamboo color	94,100,79	#5E644F
	Template:Translit	Thousand year old green	55,66,49	#374231		Template:Translit	Green	42,96,59	#2A603B
	Template:Translit	Whitish green	165,186,147	#A5BA93		Template:Translit	Rusty celadon	137,138,116	#898A74
	Template:Translit	Patina	64,122,82	#407A52		Template:Translit	Horsetail color	61,93,66	#3D5D42
	Template:Translit	Storeroom brown	61,64,53	#3D4035		Template:Translit	Green bamboo color	0,100,66	#006442
	Template:Translit	Greyish dark green	101,98,85	#656255		Template:Translit	Velvet	34,70,52	#224634
	Template:Translit	Insect screen	45,68,54	#2D4436		Template:Translit	Indigo Codium fragile seaweed brown	46,55,46	#2E372E
	Template:Translit	Aloeswood brown	90,100,87	#5A6457		Template:Translit	Pale green onion	116,159,141	#749F8D
	Template:Translit	Celadon color	129,156,139	#819C8B		Template:Translit	Blue-green	58,105,96	#3A6960
	Template:Translit	Rusty storeroom	58,64,59	#3A403B		Template:Translit	Iron color	43,55,51	#2B3733
	Template:Translit	Silk crepe brown	53,78,75	#354E4B		Template:Translit	Goryeo storeroom	32,56,56	#203838

Blue/blue violet series

Name	Romanized	English	RGB	Hex triplet	Name	Romanized	English	RGB	Hex triplet
	Template:Translit	Harbor rat	117,125,117	#757D75		Template:Translit	Dull blue	79,73,68	#4F4944
	Template:Translit	Iron storage	43,55,54	#2B3736		Template:Translit	Aqua Blue color	134,171,165	#86ABA5
	Template:Translit	Rusted light-blue	106,127,122	#6A7F7A		Template:Translit	Inside of a bottle	198,194,182	#C6C2B6
	Template:Translit	Light blue color	72,146,155	#48929B		Template:Translit	"New Bridge" color	0,108,127	#006C7F
	Template:Translit	Rusty storage	69,88,89	#455859		Template:Translit	Mousy indigo	92,84,78	#5C544E
	Template:Translit	Indigo color	38,67,72	#264348		Template:Translit	Onando color	54,65,65	#364141
	Template:Translit	Light blue flower	29,105,124	#1D697C		Template:Translit	Thousand herb color	49,117,137	#317589
	Template:Translit	Ichikawa family crest blue	77,100,108	#4D646C		Template:Translit	Light blue silk	4,79,103	#044F67
	Template:Translit	Iron head flower color	52,77,86	#344D56		Template:Translit	Kimono storage	61,76,81	#3D4C51
	Template:Translit	Sky Blue color	77,143,172	#4D8FAC		Template:Translit	Black chestnut oak	37,35,33	#252321
	Template:Translit	Ultramarine color	93,140,174	#5D8CAE		Template:Translit	Dark blue	25,34,54	#192236
	Template:Translit	Coarse wool color	24,27,38	#181B26		Template:Translit	Lapis lazuli color	31,71,136	#1F4788
	Template:Translit	Prussian blue color	0,49,113	#003171		Template:Translit	Dark blue lapis lazuli	27,41,75	#1B294B
	Template:Translit	Stained red	120,119,155	#78779B		Template:Translit	Navy blue bellflower	25,31,69	#191F45
	Template:Translit	Mousy wisteria	118,105,128	#766980		Template:Translit	Safflower color	90,79,116	#5A4F74
	Template:Translit	Wisteria color	137,114,158	#89729E		Template:Translit	Dark indigo	97,78,110	#614E6E

Violet series

Name	Romanized	English	RGB	Hex triplet	Name	Romanized	English	RGB	Hex triplet
	Template:Translit	Wisteria purple	135,95,154	#875F9A		Template:Translit	Bellflower color	93,63,106	#5D3F6A
	Template:Translit	Tatarian aster color	151,110,154	#976E9A		Template:Translit	Poppy purple	63,49,58	#3F313A
	Template:Translit	Blue-violet	43,32,40	#2B2028		Template:Translit	Deep purple	58,36,59	#3A243B
	Template:Translit	Thin color	168,124,160	#A87CA0		Template:Translit	Half color	141,96,140	#8D608C
	Template:Translit	Violet color	91,50,86	#5B3256		Template:Translit	Purple	79,40,75	#4F284B
	Template:Translit	Dark red	35,25,30	#23191E		Template:Translit	Iris color	118,53,104	#763568
	Template:Translit	Red wisteria	187,119,150	#BB7796		Template:Translit	Rabbit-ear iris	73,30,60	#491E3C
	Template:Translit	Dove feather grey	117,93,91	#755D5B		Template:Translit	Grape mouse	99,66,75	#63424B
	Template:Translit	Vine grape	109,43,80	#6D2B50		Template:Translit	Wisteria and burnt-bamboo	77,59,60	#4D3B3C
	Template:Translit	Tree peony	164,52,93	#A4345D		Template:Translit	Plum purple	143,65,85	#8F4155
	Template:Translit	Fake purple	67,36,42	#43242A		Template:Translit	Purple kite	81,44,49	#512C31
	Template:Translit	Sappanwood	126,38,57	#7E2639		Template:Translit	Mulberry dye	89,41,44	#59292C
	Template:Translit	Vanishing red mouse	68,49,46	#44312E

Achromatic series

Name	Romanized	English	RGB	Hex triplet	Name	Romanized	English	RGB	Hex triplet
	Template:Translit	Unbleached silk	255,221,202	#FFDDCA		Template:Translit	White mouse	185,161,147	#B9A193
	Template:Translit	Silver-grey	151,134,124	#97867C		Template:Translit	Plain mouse	110,95,87	#6E5F57
	Template:Translit	Brown rat grey	75,60,57	#4B3C39		Template:Translit	Indigo ink brown	57,52,50	#393432
	Template:Translit	Betel nut-dyed	53,41,37	#352925		Template:Translit	Ink color	39,34,31	#27221F
	Template:Translit	Black	23,20,18	#171412		Template:Translit	Indigo white	235, 246, 247	#EBF6F7

Bibliography

• https://color-term.com/traditional-color-of-japan/

External links

• Japanese traditional color Names Template:In lang
• Japanese traditional colors (archived)
• The traditional colors of Nippon (Japan)