Collection of colors traditionally used in Japanese-related things
The 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 kinjiki (禁色 , "forbidden colors ") were strictly reserved for the robes of the Imperial family and highest ranking court officials; for example, the color ōtan (orange) was used as the color for the robes of the Crown Prince and use by anyone else was prohibited. Colors known as yurushiiro (許し色 , "permissible colors") 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
一斤染
Ikkonzome
One kin (0.6 kg (1.3 lb)) dye
240,143,144
#F08F90
桃色
Momo-iro
Peach-colored
244,121,131
#F47983
紅梅色
Kōbai-iro
Red plum colored
219,90,107
#DB5A6B
中紅
Nakabeni
Medium crimson (dye)
201,55,86
#C93756
桜色
Sakura-iro
Cherry blossom color
252,201,185
#FCC9B9
退紅
Arazome
Washed-out crimson (dye)
255,179,167
#FFB3A7
薄紅
Usubeni
Pale crimson (dye)
242,102,108
#F2666C
Red series
Name
Romanized
English translation
RGB
Hex triplet
Name
Romanized
English translation
RGB
Hex triplet
鴇羽色
Tokiha-iro
Ibis wing color
245,143,132
#F58F84
桜鼠
Sakuranezumi
Cherry blossom mouse grey
172,129,118
#AC8181
長春色
Chōshun-iro
Long spring (season) color
185,87,84
#B95754
唐紅/韓紅
Karakurenai
Foreign crimson[ a]
201,31,55
#C91F37
臙脂色
Enji-iro
Cochineal red/rouge
157,41,51
#9D2933
深緋
Kokiake
Deep scarlet
123,59,58
#7B3B3A
甚三紅
Jinzamomi
Thrice-dyed crimson
247,102,90
#F7665A
水がき
Mizugaki
Water persimmon
181,108,96
#B56C60
梅鼠
Umenezumi
Plum-blossom mouse grey
151,100,90
#97645A
蘇芳香
Su'ōkō
Sappanwood incense
162,79,70
#A24F46
赤紅
Akabeni
Pure crimson (dye)
195,39,43
#C3272B
真朱
Shinshu
True red
143,29,33
#8F1D21
小豆色
Azuki-iro
Azuki bean color
103,36,34
#672422
銀朱
Ginshu
Greyed red (lit. silvered red)
188,45,41
#BC2D29
海老茶
Ebicha
Maroon (shrimp brown)
94,40,36
#5E2824
栗梅
Kiriume
Red-brown (lit. chestnut-plum)
139,53,45
#8B352D
曙色
Akebono-iro
Dawn-color
250,123,98
#FA7B62
珊瑚色
Sango-iro
Coral color
248,103,79
#F8674F
猩々緋
Shōjōhi
Red-orange (lit. orangutan -colored)
220,48,35
#DC3023
芝翫茶
Shikancha
Wilted brown (lit. wilted lawn-clippings)
171,76,61
#AB4C3D
柿渋色
Kakishibu-iro
Persimmon-juice color
147,67,55
#934337
紅樺
Benikaba
Red birch
157,43,34
#9D2B22
紅鳶
Benitobi
Red kite (bird species)
145,50,40
#913228
紅檜皮
Benihibata
Cypress bark red
111,48,40
#6F3028
黒鳶
Kurotobi
Black kite (bird species)
53,30,28
#351E1C
紅緋
Benihi
Blood red
243,83,54
#F35336
照柿
Terigaki
Glazed persimmon
211,78,54
#D34E36
緋
Ake
Scarlet (blood)
207,58,36
#CF3A24
江戸茶
Edocha
Red-brown (Edo brown)
161,61,45
#A13D2D
紅柄色
Bengara-iro
Dyestalk red (lit. the color from dying with the stalk of the beni (safflower ) plant)
145,50,37
#913225
檜皮色
Hihada-iro
Cypress bark color
117,46,35
#752E23
宍色
Shishi-iro
Meat-color
249,144,111
#F9906F
洗朱
Araishu
Rinsed-out red
255,121,82
#FF7952
赤香色
Akakō-iro
Red incense-colored
240,127,94
#F07F5E
ときがら茶
Tokigaracha
Brewed mustard-brown
230,131,100
#E68364
黄丹
Ōtan
Ochre (earthen yellow-red-brown)
255,78,32
#FF4E20
蘇比
Sohi
Overdyed/refreshed red-brown
227,92,56
#E35C38
遠州茶
Enshūcha
Muddy brown (lit. the brown of a distant river)
203,102,73
#CB6649
唐茶
Karacha
Spicy red-brown (Chinese tea brown)
179,92,68
#B35C44
樺茶
Kabacha
Birch brown
177,74,48
#B14A30
宗傳唐茶
Sōdenkaracha
Faded spicy red-brown
155,83,63
#9B533F
雀茶
Suzumecha
Sparrow -brown
140,71,54
#8C4736
栗皮茶
Kurikawacha
Chestnut-leather brown
96,40,30
#60281E
百塩茶
Momoshiocha
Boiled red bean brown
84,45,36
#542D24
鳶色
Tobi-iro
Ibis -color
76,34,27
#4C221B
朱色
Shu-iro
Cinnabar -color
255,53,0
#ff3500
Yellow/red series
Name
Romanized
English translation
RGB
Hex triplet
Name
Romanized
English translation
RGB
Hex triplet
胡桃染
Kurumizome
Walnut-dyed
159,116,98
#9F7462
蒲色
Kaba-iro
Cattail color
182,73,37
#B64925
黄櫨染
Kōrozen
Sumac -dyed
89,43,31
#592B1F
焦茶
Kogecha
Scorched brown
53,31,25
#351F19
深支子
Kokikuchinashi
Rich gardenia
245,127,79
#F57F4F
洗柿
Araigaki
Washed-out persimmon
236,130,84
#EC8254
代赭色
Taisha-iro
Red ochre color
159,82,51
#9F5233
赤白橡
Akashirotsurubami
Sawtooth oak
236,149,108
#EC956C
礪茶
Tonocha
Polished brown
152,85,56
#985538
煎茶色
Sencha-iro
Green tea-colored
130,75,53
#824B35
洒落柿
Sharegaki
Stylish persimmon
255,162,107
#FFA26B
薄柿
Usugaki
Pale persimmon
252,164,116
#FCA474
萱草色
Kanzō-iro
Daylily -colored
255,137,54
#FF8936
梅染
Umezome
Plum-dyed
250,146,88
#FA9258
紅鬱金
Beni'ukon
Red-bronze (lit. red dye and turmeric)
251,129,54
#FB8136
丁子茶
Chōjicha
Clove-brown
143,88,60
#8F583C
憲法染
Kenpōzome
Legal dye (from when color use was regulated by class)
46,33,27
#2E211B
枇杷茶
Biwacha
Loquat tree-brown
171,97,52
#AB6134
琥珀色
Kohaku-iro
Amber color
202,105,36
#CA6924
淡香
Usukō
Pale incense
255,165,101
#FFA565
朽葉色
Kuchiba-iro
Decaying leaves color
213,120,53
#D57835
金茶
Kincha
Golden brown
198,107,39
#C66B27
丁子染
Chōjizome
Clove -dyed
169,98,50
#A96232
狐色
Kitsune-iro
Fox-color
152,86,41
#985629
柴染
Fushizome
Brushwood-dyed
140,89,57
#8C5939
伽羅色
Kyara-iro
Aloewood-color
106,67,45
#6A432D
煤竹色
Susutake-iro
Weathered bamboo (lit. "sooty")
89,58,39
#593A27
白茶
Shiracha
White tea-colored
196,142,105
#C48E69
黄土色
Ōdo-iro
Ochre (lit. earthen yellow)
190,127,81
#BE7F51
銀煤竹
Kinsusutake
Golden-grey bamboo (dried and weathered)
125,78,45
#7D4E2D
黄唐茶
Kigaracha
Chinese yellow tea-colored
183,112,45
#B7702D
媚茶
Kobicha
Kobi tea
107,68,35
#6B4423
赤朽葉
Akakuchiba
Red fallen leaves
219,132,73
#DB8449
Yellow series
Name
Romanized
English
RGB
Hex triplet
Name
Romanized
English
RGB
Hex triplet
浅黄
Asagi
Light yellow
247,187,125
#F7BB7D
山吹色
Yamabuki-iro
Golden yellow (Kerria japonica )
255,164,0
#FFA400
玉子色
Tamago-iro
Egg-colored
255,166,49
#FFA631
櫨染
Hajizome
Sumac-dyed
224,138,30
#E08A1E
山吹茶
Yamabukicha
Gold-brown
203,126,31
#CB7E1F
桑染
Kuwazome
Mulberry -dyed
197,127,46
#C57F2E
生壁色
Namakabe-iro
The color of undried plaster
120,94,73
#785E49
梔子
Kuchinashi
Cape jasmine or gardenia
255,185,90
#FFB95A
玉蜀黍色
Tōmorokoshi-iro
Corn-colored
250,169,69
#FAA945
白橡
Shirotsurubami
White oak
206,159,111
#CE9F6F
黄橡
Kitsurubami
Golden oak
187,129,65
#BB8141
藤黄
Tō'ō
Gamboge
255,182,30
#FFB61E
花葉色
Hanaba-iro or kayou-iro
Floral leaf-colored
255,185,78
#FFB94E
鳥の子色
Torinoko-iro
Eggshell paper-colored
226,190,159
#E2BE9F
鬱金色
Ukon-iro
Turmeric -colored
230,155,58
#E69B3A
黄朽葉
Kikuchiba
Golden fallen leaves
226,156,69
#E29C45
利休白茶
Rikyūshiracha
Faded Sen no Rikyū 's tea
176,146,122
#B0927A
利休茶
Rikyūcha
Sen no Rikyū's tea
130,107,88
#826B58
灰汁色
Aku-iro
Lye -colored
127,107,93
#7F6B5D
肥後煤竹
Higosusutake
Japanese iris and sooty bamboo
127,93,59
#7F5D3B
路考茶
Rokōcha
Contemplation in a tea garden
102,83,67
#665343
海松茶
Mirucha
Simmered seaweed
76,61,48
#4C3D30
菜種油色
Nataneyu-iro
Rapeseed oil-colored
161,121,23
#A17917
黄海松茶
Kimirucha
Yellow Sea pine-brown
137,108,57
#896C39
鶯茶
Uguisucha
Japanese bush warbler -brown (greenish brown)
92,72,39
#5C4827
菜の花色
Nanohanacha
Rape-blossom brown
227,177,48
#E3B130
苅萱
Kariyasu
Japanese triandra grass (Themeda japonica )
226,177,60
#E2B13C
黄蘗
Kihada
Amur cork tree (Phellodendron amurense )
243,193,58
#F3C13A
蒸栗色
Mushikuri-iro
Steamed chestnut color
211,177,125
#D3B17D
青朽葉
Aokuchiba
Pale fallen leaves
170,135,54
#AA8736
鶸茶
Hiwacha
Finch-brown (Cardueline finch )
149,123,56
#957B38
女郎花
Ominaeshi
Patrinia flowers (Patrinia scabiosaefolia )
217,182,17
#D9B611
鶯色
Uguisu-iro
Japanese bush warbler-colored
100,85,48
#645530
Yellow/green series
Name
Romanized
English
RGB
Hex triplet
Name
Romanized
English
RGB
Hex triplet
鶸色
Hiwa-iro
Greenfinch color
189,169,40
#BDA928
青白橡
Aoshirotsurubami
Pale oak
155,168,141
#9BA88D
柳茶
Yanagicha
Willow tea
156,138,77
#9C8A4D
璃寛茶
Rikancha
Rikan brown
83,74,50
#534A32
藍媚茶
Aikobicha
Indigo tea
71,63,45
#473F2D
苔色
Koke-iro
Moss color
139,125,58
#8B7D3A
海松色
Miru-iro
Codium fragile seaweed color
82,75,42
#524B2A
千歳茶
Sensaicha
Thousand year old brown
59,52,41
#3B3429
梅幸茶
Baikōcha
Baiko brown
133,124,85
#857C55
岩井茶
Iwaicha
Iwai brown
94,85,69
#5E5545
鶸萌黄
Hiwamo'egi
Siskin sprout yellow
122,148,46
#7A942E
柳煤竹
Yanagisusutake
Sooty willow bamboo
77,75,58
#4D4B3A
裏柳
Urahayanagi
Underside of willow leaves
188,181,140
#BCB58C
淡萌黄
Usumo'egi
Pale young green onion
141,178,85
#8DB255
柳染
Yanagizome
Willow-dyed
140,158,94
#8C9E5E
萌黄
Mo'egi
Fresh onion
91,137,48
#5B8930
青丹
Aoni
Blue-black clay[ 3]
82,89,59
#52593B
松葉色
Matsuba-iro
Pine needle color
69,77,50
#454D32
Green/blue green series
Name
Romanized
English
RGB
Hex triplet
Name
Romanized
English
RGB
Hex triplet
薄青
Usu'ao
Pale blue
140,156,118
#8C9C76
若竹色
Wakatake-iro
Young bamboo color
107,147,98
#6B9362
柳鼠
Yanaginezumi
Willow grey
129,123,105
#817B69
老竹色
Oitake-iro
Old bamboo color
94,100,79
#5E644F
千歳緑
Chitosemidori
Thousand year old green
55,66,49
#374231
緑
Midori
Green
42,96,59
#2A603B
白緑
Byakuroku
Whitish green
165,186,147
#A5BA93
錆青磁
Sabiseiji
Rusty celadon
137,138,116
#898A74
緑青
Rokushō
Patina
64,122,82
#407A52
木賊色
Tokusa-iro
Horsetail color
61,93,66
#3D5D42
御納戸茶
Onandocha
Storeroom brown
61,64,53
#3D4035
青竹色
Aotake-iro
Green bamboo color
0,100,66
#006442
利休鼠
Rikyūnezumi
Greyish dark green
101,98,85
#656255
びろうど
Birōdo
Velvet
34,70,52
#224634
虫襖
Mushi'ao
Insect screen
45,68,54
#2D4436
藍海松茶
Aimirucha
Indigo Codium fragile seaweed brown
46,55,46
#2E372E
沈香茶
Tonocha
Aloeswood brown
90,100,87
#5A6457
水浅葱
Mizu'asagi
Pale green onion
116,159,141
#749F8D
青磁色
Seiji-iro
Celadon color
129,156,139
#819C8B
青碧
Seiheki
Blue-green
58,105,96
#3A6960
錆鉄御納戸
Sabitetsuonando
Rusty storeroom
58,64,59
#3A403B
鉄色
Tetsu-iro
Iron color
43,55,51
#2B3733
御召茶
Omeshicha
Silk crepe brown
53,78,75
#354E4B
高麗納戸
Kōrainando
Goryeo storeroom
32,56,56
#203838
Blue/blue violet series
Name
Romanized
English
RGB
Hex triplet
Name
Romanized
English
RGB
Hex triplet
湊鼠
Minatonezumi
Harbor rat
117,125,117
#757D75
青鈍
Aonibi
Dull blue
79,73,68
#4F4944
鉄御納戸
Tetsuonando
Iron storage
43,55,54
#2B3736
水色
Mizu-iro
Aqua Blue color
134,171,165
#86ABA5
錆浅葱
Sabi'asagi
Rusted light-blue
106,127,122
#6A7F7A
瓶覗
Kamenozoki
Inside of a bottle
198,194,182
#C6C2B6
浅葱色
Asagi-iro
Light blue color
72,146,155
#48929B
新橋色
Shinbashi-iro
"New Bridge" color
0,108,127
#006C7F
錆御納戸
Sabi'onando
Rusty storage
69,88,89
#455859
藍鼠
Ainezumi
Mousy indigo
92,84,78
#5C544E
藍色
Ai-iro
Indigo color
38,67,72
#264348
御納戸色
Onando-iro
Onando color
54,65,65
#364141
花浅葱
Hana'asagi
Light blue flower
29,105,124
#1D697C
千草色
Chigusa-iro
Thousand herb color
49,117,137
#317589
舛花色
Masuhana-iro
Ichikawa family crest blue[ 4]
77,100,108
#4D646C
縹
Hanada
Light blue silk
4,79,103
#044F67
熨斗目花色
Noshimehana-iro
Iron head flower color
52,77,86
#344D56
御召御納戸
Omeshi'onando
Kimono storage
61,76,81
#3D4C51
空色
Sora-iro
Sky Blue color
77,143,172
#4D8FAC
黒橡
Kurotsurubami
Black chestnut oak
37,35,33
#252321
群青色
Gunjō-iro
Ultramarine color
93,140,174
#5D8CAE
紺
Kon
Dark blue
25,34,54
#192236
褐色
Kachi-iro
Coarse wool color
24,27,38
#181B26
瑠璃色
Ruri-iro
Lapis lazuli color
31,71,136
#1F4788
紺青色
Konjō-iro
Prussian blue color
0,49,113
#003171
瑠璃紺
Rurikon
Dark blue lapis lazuli
27,41,75
#1B294B
紅碧
Benimidori
Stained red
120,119,155
#78779B
紺桔梗
Konkikyō
Navy blue bellflower
25,31,69
#191F45
藤鼠
Fujinezumi
Mousy wisteria
118,105,128
#766980
紅掛花色
Benikakehana-iro
Safflower color
90,79,116
#5A4F74
藤色
Fuji-iro
Wisteria color
137,114,158
#89729E
二藍
Futa'ai
Dark indigo
97,78,110
#614E6E
Violet series
Name
Romanized
English
RGB
Hex triplet
Name
Romanized
English
RGB
Hex triplet
藤紫
Fujimurasaki
Wisteria purple
135,95,154
#875F9A
桔梗色
Kikyō-iro
Bellflower color
93,63,106
#5D3F6A
紫苑色
Shi'on-iro
Tatarian aster color
151,110,154
#976E9A
滅紫
Messhi [ 5]
Poppy purple
63,49,58
#3F313A
紫紺
Shikon
Blue-violet
43,32,40
#2B2028
深紫
Kokimurasaki
Deep purple
58,36,59
#3A243B
薄色
Usu-iro
Thin color
168,124,160
#A87CA0
半色
Hashita-iro
Half color
141,96,140
#8D608C
菫色
Sumire-iro
Violet color
91,50,86
#5B3256
紫
Murasaki
Purple
79,40,75
#4F284B
黒紅
Kurobeni
Dark red
35,25,30
#23191E
菖蒲色
Ayame-iro
Iris color
118,53,104
#763568
紅藤
Benifuji
Red wisteria
187,119,150
#BB7796
杜若
Kakitsubata
Rabbit-ear iris
73,30,60
#491E3C
鳩羽鼠
Hatobanezumi
Dove feather grey
117,93,91
#755D5B
葡萄鼠
Budōnezumi
Grape mouse
99,66,75
#63424B
蒲萄
Ebizome
Vine grape
109,43,80
#6D2B50
藤煤竹
Fujisusutake
Wisteria and burnt-bamboo
77,59,60
#4D3B3C
牡丹
Bōtan
Tree peony
164,52,93
#A4345D
梅紫
Umemurasaki
Plum purple
143,65,85
#8F4155
似せ紫
Nisemurasaki
Fake purple
67,36,42
#43242A
紫鳶
Murasakitobi
Purple kite
81,44,49
#512C31
蘇芳
Su'ō
Sappanwood
126,38,57
#7E2639
桑染
Kuwazome
Mulberry dye
89,41,44
#59292C
紅消鼠
Benikeshinezumi
Vanishing red mouse
68,49,46
#44312E
Achromatic series
Name
Romanized
English
RGB
Hex triplet
Name
Romanized
English
RGB
Hex triplet
白練
Shironeri
Unbleached silk
255,221,202
#FFDDCA
白鼠
Shironezumi
White mouse
185,161,147
#B9A193
銀鼠
Ginnezumi
Silver-grey
151,134,124
#97867C
素鼠
Sunezumi
Plain mouse
110,95,87
#6E5F57
丼鼠
Dobunezumi
Brown rat grey
75,60,57
#4B3C39
藍墨茶
Aisumicha
Indigo ink brown
57,52,50
#393432
檳榔子染
Binrōjizome
Betel nut -dyed
53,41,37
#352925
墨色
Sumi-iro
Ink color
39,34,31
#27221F
黒色
Kokushoku
Black
23,20,18
#171412
藍白
Aijiro
Indigo white
235, 246, 247
#EBF6F7
Notes
^ "Since magenta, an imported artificial color, also resembled Kara-kurenai (here also Kara means Korea; kurenai means red), people started to call the deep red formerly known as kara-ai by the new designation Kara-kurenai (here, however, "Kara" means China)."[ 1] : 37
References
Bibliography
External links