Traditional colors of Japan
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 were strictly reserved for the robes of the highest ranking government officials; for example, the color Ōtan was used as the color for the robes of kuge and use by any other lower rank was prohibited. Colors known as yurushiiro 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 do exist. Many of the names of these colors originate from Chinese culture, where the hierarchical color system is even more complex.
Colors
Red/violet series
| Name | Romanized | English translation | RGB | Hex triplet | Name | Romanized | English translation | RGB | Hex triplet |
| 一斤染 | Ikkonzome | One kin 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 | 201,55,86 | #C93756 |
| 桜色 | Sakura-iro | Cherry blossom color | 252,201,185 | #FCC9B9 | 退紅 | Arazome | Washed-out crimson | 255,179,167 | #FFB3A7 |
| 薄紅 | Usubeni | Pale crimson | 242,102,108 | #F2666C | - | - | - | - | - |
Red series
Yellow/red series
Yellow series
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 | 187,164,109 | #BBA46D |
| 柳茶 | Yanagicha | Willow tea | 156,138,77 | #9C8A4D | 璃寛茶 | Rikancha | Rikan brown | 83,74,50 | #534A32 |
| 藍媚茶 | Aikobicha | Flirtatious 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 | Hiwamoegi | 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 | Usumoegi | Pale young green onion | 141,178,85 | #8DB255 |
| 柳染 | Yanagizome | Willow dye | 140,158,94 | #8C9E5E | 萌黄 | Moegi | Fresh onion | 91,137,48 | #5B8930 |
| 青丹 | Aoni | Blue Black Crayfish | 82,89,59 | #52593B | 松葉色 | Matsuba-iro | Pine needle color | 69,77,50 | #454D32 |