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Overview

Traditional Japanese Colors

Traditional Japanese colors are a naming system rooted in nature and daily life culture, derived from names of plants, animals, minerals, and foods. The DIC Color Guide 'Traditional Colors of Japan' systematizes 300 colors, which are widely used in kimonos, crafts, architecture, and graphic design. The color names include many beautiful expressions of nature throughout the seasons, such as 'Moegi' (budding onion green), 'Ruri' (lapis lazuli blue), 'Akane' (madder red), 'Konpeki' (azure), and 'Yamabuki' (golden yellow).

traditional colors Japanese colors color names color codes Japanese culture design color
code slug name description category hex reading rgb_b rgb_g rgb_r
001 moegi Moegi-iro A dark green color like the sprouting bud of a green onion Green #006D4D もえぎいろ 77 109 0
002 ruri Ruri-iro A deep blue color like the gemstone lapis lazuli Blue #1E50A2 るりいろ 162 80 30
003 akane Akane-iro A traditional reddish color dyed with madder root Red #B7282E あかねいろ 46 40 183
004 konpeki Konpeki A deep blue-green color, intermediate between navy and azure Blue #007BBB こんぺき 187 123 0
005 yamabuki Yamabuki-iro A vivid golden yellow like the Japanese rose flower Yellow #F8B500 やまぶきいろ 0 181 248
006 sakura Sakura-iro A pale pink color like cherry blossoms Pink #FEF4F4 さくらいろ 244 244 254
007 fuji Fuji-iro A light purple color like wisteria flowers Purple #A59ACA ふじいろ 202 154 165
008 asagi Asagi-iro A blue-green color like light green onions Blue-Green #00A3AF あさぎいろ 175 163 0
009 enji Enji A deep red color like cochineal dye Red #B94047 えんじ 71 64 185
010 wakatake Wakatake-iro A fresh green color like young bamboo Green #68BE8D わかたけいろ 141 190 104
011 hisui Hisui-iro A blue-green color like jade Green #38B48B ひすいいろ 139 180 56
012 kuchiba Kuchiba-iro A brown color like withered leaves Brown #917347 くちばいろ 71 115 145
013 tokiwa Tokiwa-iro A deep green color like evergreen trees Green #007B43 ときわいろ 67 123 0
014 sora Sora-iro A bright blue color like a clear sky Blue #A0D8EF そらいろ 239 216 160
015 momo Momo-iro A pink color like peach blossoms or fruit Pink #F09199 ももいろ 153 145 240
016 sumire Sumire-iro A purple color like violet flowers Purple #7058A3 すみれいろ 163 88 112
017 ocha Cha-iro A brown color like tea Brown #965042 ちゃいろ 66 80 150
018 nezumi Nezumi-iro A gray color like a mouse Gray #949495 ねずみいろ 149 148 148
019 kuro Kuro A jet black color Black #171917 くろ 23 25 23
020 shiro Shiro A pure white color White #FFFFFF しろ 255 255 255

A collection of traditional Japanese color names passed down through generations.