The Traditional Colors of Japan
Some years ago I found by accident the book The Traditional Colors of Japan by Nobyoshi Hamada in a bookstore. He also wrote the sister book Traditional Japanese Color Palette.
It’s the best book about Japanese colors I know. The book has beautiful photography showing examples of nature, craftsmanship, and art applying the colors.
I took the time and converted all colors in the book into an ASE (Adobe Swatch Exchange) file that is usable in all Graphic software. You can download the file or browse all colors on this page.
Pink
#DC9FB4
Description
The vivid pink of Dianthus chinesis flowers.
Orchid Pink
#E16B8C
Description
The purplish pink of orchids.
Raspberry Red
#8E354A
Description
The rich purplish red of raspberries.
Old Rose
#F8C3CD
Description
A soft, light red; a washed-out vermilion.
Baby Pink
#F4A7B9
Description
A soft pink.
Mulberry
#64363C
Description
The dark reddish-purple of ripe mulberries.
Fuchsia Pink
#F596AA
Description
The pink of fuchsia flowers.
Strawberry
#B5495B
Description
The rich red of strawberries.
Rose Pink
#E87A90
Description
The pale vermilion of classic pink roses.
Signal Red
#D05A6E
Description
A deep red.
Cherry Pink
#DB4D6D
Description
A pink with a hint of purple.
Cherry Blossom
#FEDFE1
Description
The pink of cherry blossoms, the Japanese national flower.
Rose Gray
#9E7A7A
Description
Gray with a hint of rose-red.
Rose Red
#D0104C
Description
The familiar red of roses.
Crimson
#9F353A
Description
A deep red originally derived from the cochineal insect.
Carmine
#CB1B45
Description
A bright red originally derived from the cochineal insect.
Pink
#EEA9A9
Description
The color of fringed pinks, also known as Dianthus or pink carnations.
Old Rose
#BF6766
Description
A faded rose-red.
Chocolate Brown
#86473F
Description
A deep, rich brown.
Silver Pink
#B19693
Description
Pink with a hint of silver.
French Rose
#EB7A77
Description
A bright crimson.
Russet Brown
#954A45
Description
A deep reddish brown.
Corinth Pink
#A96360
Description
A reddish-brown used on ancient Greek pottery from Corinth.
Geranium
#CB4042
Description
The strong red of geraniums, flowering perennials in the geraniaceae family.
Cardinal
#AB3B3A
Description
A vivid red, named for the color of the cassocks worn by cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church.
Silver Pink
#D7C4BB
Description
Pink with a hint of silver.
Dark Cardinal
#904840
Description
A dark reddish brown.
Garnet
#734338
Description
A dark red of garnets.
Blood Red
#C73E3A
Description
A pure, clear red.
Woodland Brown
#554236
Description
The deep brown of a woodland floor.
Pompeian Red
#994639
Description
A reddish-brown reminiscent of the houses of Pompeii.
Salmon Pink
#F19483
Description
The bright pink of salmon.
Amber Red
#B54434
Description
Red with a hint of orange.
Ash Rose
#B9887D
Description
A pale rose with a hint of ash gray.
Coral Pink
#F17C67
Description
The characteristic pink of coral.
Oxblood Red
#884C3A
Description
A rich reddish brown.
Poppy Red
#E83015
Description
A strong red with a hint of orange.
Red Lead
#D75455
Description
A bright reddish-orange, named for the pigment red lead or minium.
Copper Rose
#B55D4C
Description
Rose red with a hint of copper.
Mahogany
#854836
Description
The deep reddish-brown of mahogany wood.
Brick Dust
#A35E47
Description
A dull brick red.
Scarlett
#CC543A
Description
A vivid red with a hint of yellow.
Auburn Brown
#724832
Description
A red-brown color.
Tomato Red
#F75C2F
Description
A color of a ripe tomato.
Chestnut
#6A4028
Description
The reddish brown of chestnuts.
Copper Brown
#9A5034
Description
A rich coppery brown.
Burnt Orange
#C46243
Description
A deep orange.
Garnet Brown
#AF5F3C
Description
A reddish brown.
Indian Pink
#FB966E
Description
A pale vermilion.
Arabian Red
#724938
Description
A dark red.
Cinnamon
#B47157
Description
The light reddish-brown of cinnamon.
Melon Pink
#DB8E71
Description
The orange-pink of cantaloupe melon.
Orange Vermilion
#F05E1C
Description
A strong orange vermilion.
Flamingo
#ED784A
Description
The pale crimson of flamingo plumage.
Coral Rust
#CA7853
Description
Coral pink with a hint of brown.
Etruscan Orange
#B35C37
Description
The orange with a hint of brown characteristic of Etruscan art.
Burnt Umber
#563F2E
Description
A deep reddish chocolate brown.
Cork
#E3916E
Description
The light brown of the bark of the cork tree.
Brick Red
#8F5A3C
Description
A mellow reddish brown.
Flesh
#F0A986
Description
A peach-hued skin color.
Etruscan Rose
#A0674B
Description
A soft pinkish brown.
Burnt Sienna
#C1693C
Description
An orange-brown.
Apricot Buff
#FB9966
Description
A dull apricot yellow.
Nut Brown
#947A6D
Description
The brown of ripe walnuts.
Terra Cotta
#A36336
Description
A rich brownish orange, as in unglazed roof titles.
Salmon Buff
#E79460
Description
A dull, pale orange.
Golden Brown
#7D532C
Description
A rich golden brown.
Red Fallow
#C78550
Description
Tan with a hint of red.
Bronze
#985F2A
Description
The clean brown of unweathered bronze.
Peach Beige
#E1A679
Description
A beige with a touch of pink.
Tobacco Brown
#855B32
Description
A warm light brown.
Saffron Yellow
#FC9F4D
Description
The golden yellow of dried saffron stigmas.
Light Apricot
#FFBA84
Description
A pale ripe apricot color.
Majolica Orange
#E98B2A
Description
The orange found in Majolica ceramics.
Peach Buff
#E9A368
Description
A pale reddish tan.
Ocher Beige
#B17844
Description
A pale yellow-brown.
Fawn
#96632E
Description
A golden brown, seen in some fawn’s coats.
Russet Gold
#43341B
Description
Gold with a touch of brown.
Amber
#CA7A2C
Description
The golden yellow of amber.
Vanilla
#ECB88A
Description
Pale vanilla extract.
Russet Brown
#78552B
Description
A deep reddish brown.
Buff
#B07736
Description
A light yellow-brown, the color of buffalo leather.
Drab
#967249
Description
A light olive brown.
Fallow
#E2943B
Description
The pale brown of sandy soil in fallow fields.
Brown Gold
#C7802D
Description
A gold with a hint of brown.
Raw Sienna
#9B6E23
Description
A brownish-yellow.
Sepia
#6E552F
Description
A dark brown like the pigment derived from cuttlefish ink.
Champagne
#EBB471
Description
The pale straw color of champagne.
Peach
#D7B98E
Description
A soft pinkish-orange, the color of peach flesh.
Maple Sugar
#82663A
Description
The light brown of maple sugar.
Yellow Ocher
#B68E55
Description
A natural yellow-brown pigment.
Ecru
#BC9F77
Description
The very pale brown of unbleached linen or silk.
Old Gold
#876633
Description
A dark yellow.
Maple Leaf
#C18A26
Description
A golden brown.
Marigold
#FFB11B
Description
The bright yellow of the marigold, a member of the chrysanthemum family native to Mexico.
Gold
#D19826
Description
The warm yellow of the metal gold.
Yellow Gold
#DDA52D
Description
The yellow of the metal gold.
Buff
#C99833
Description
A light yellow-brown, the color of buffalo leather.
York Yellow
#F9BF45
Description
The rich yellow of egg yolks.
Flax
#DCB879
Description
A pale yellowish gray.
Curry Yellow
#BA9132
Description
The rich yellow of turmeric.
Maize
#E8B647
Description
The yellow of kernels of ripe maize (corn).
Sun Gold
#F7C242
Description
The true gold of the sun.
Tawny Olive
#7D6C46
Description
Olive green with a hint of brown.
Cream
#DAC9A6
Description
A pale yellowish white.
Straw
#FAD689
Description
The delicate yellow of dry straw.
Honeysweet
#D9AB42
Description
Honey yellow.
Naples Yellow
#F6C555
Description
A muted reddish-yellow pigment containing lead antimonate.
Sunflower
#FFC408
Description
The yellow of sunflower petals.
Golden Yellow
#EFBB24
Description
A vivid yellow.
Mustard
#CAAD5F
Description
The dull yellow of mustard.
Oriental Gold
#8D742A
Description
A muted gold.
Citron Gray
#B4A582
Description
Gray with a touch of green.
Covert Gray
#877F6C
Description
An olive gray.
Dusty Olive
#897D55
Description
A dull olive green
Beech
#74673E
Description
A blonde tan.
Oil Yellow
#A28C37
Description
A deep yellow with a hint of green.
Seaweed
#6C6024
Description
A grayish olive.
Seaweed Yellow
#867835
Description
A grayish-olive yellow.
Seaweed Brown
#62592C
Description
A grayish brown.
Chrome Lemon
#E9CD4C
Description
A natural yellow pigment made of lead chromate.
Canary
#F7D94C
Description
A bright yellow with a hint of green.
Lemon Yellow
#FBE251
Description
A vivid yellow, the color of lemon peel.
Chartreuse Yellow
#D9CD90
Description
A greenish yellow.
Olive Yellow
#ADA142
Description
Yellow with a hint of olive green.
Citron Yellow
#DDD23B
Description
A grayish-green yellow.
Light Olive Yellow
#A5A051
Description
Pale yellow with a hint of olive green.
Apple Green
#BEC23F
Description
A crisp yellow-green.
Sage Green
#6C6A2D
Description
The gray-green of sage.
Citron Green
#939650
Description
A light grayish yellow green.
Moss Green
#838A2D
Description
A dullish yellow-green.
Elm Green
#B1B479
Description
A grayish olive green.
Drab
#616138
Description
A light olive brown.
Dark Olive
#4B4E2A
Description
A dark olive green.
Sea Moss
#5B622E
Description
Grayish olive green.
Bronze Green
#B1B479
Description
A grayish olive.
Silver Sage
#89916B
Description
A sage green with a hint of silver.
Fresh Green
#90B44B
Description
The bright green of new growth.
Willow
#91AD70
Description
The yellow-green of willow leaves.
Mist Green
#B5CAA0
Description
The delicate grayish green of the backs of willow leaves.
Slate Olive
#646A58
Description
An olive green with a hint of slate blue.
Spring Green
#7BA23F
Description
The characteristic vital green of spring growth.
Apple Green
#86C166
Description
The clear green of green apples.
Deep Sea Moss
#4A593D
Description
A deep grayed green.
Jade Green
#42602D
Description
A bluish green.
Cactus
#516E41
Description
A yellow-green with a hint of gray.
Light Green
#91B493
Description
A light true green.
Eggshell Green
#808F7C
Description
The delicate bluish green of robin’s eggs.
Evergreen
#1B813E
Description
A rich leaf green.
Porcelain Green
#5DAC81
Description
A vivid yellow-green.
Bottle Green
#36563C
Description
A dark green often found in glass bottles.
Malachite Green
#227D51
Description
The rich, true green of malachite.
Opal Green
#A8D8B9
Description
The milky green of opals.
Antique Green
#6A8372
Description
The dull green of marble.
Almond Green
#2D6D4B
Description
The deep bluish-green of the backs of almonds leaves.
Forest Green
#465D4C
Description
A dull, deep green.
Verdigris
#24936E
Description
The bluish-green of the patina that forms on copper.
Ripple Green
#86A697
Description
A delicate blue-green.
Jewel Green
#00896C
Description
A deep emerald green.
Lincoln Green
#096148
Description
A deep green used in tartan.
Green Duck
#20604F
Description
Mallard green.
Olive Drab
#0F4C3A
Description
A dull olive green.
Chinese Green
#4F726C
Description
Overglaze green in Chinese ceramics.
Sea Green
#00AA90
Description
The blue-green of the sea.
Celadon
#69B0AC
Description
The gray-green of celadon porcelains.
Fir Green
#26453D
Description
The blue-green of fir needles.
Aqua Green
#66BAB7
Description
A blue-green color.
Turquoise Blue
#268785
Description
The vivid blue-green of turquoises.
Blue Conifer
#405B55
Description
The muted blue-green of pine needles.
Canton Blue
#305A56
Description
A bright navy blue.
Pale Ultramarine
#78C2C4
Description
A pale true blue.
Dun
#376B6D
Description
A grayish olive green.
Horizon Blue
#A5DEE4
Description
The pale sky-blue visible on the horizon.
Aqua Gray
#77969A
Description
A gray-aqua mixture.
Light Saxe Blue
#6699A1
Description
A dull blue-green.
Pale Aqua
#81C7D4
Description
A pale sky blue.
Turquoise Blue
#33A6B8
Description
The blue-green of turquoises.
Tapestry Blue
#0C4842
Description
A dark blue with a hint of gray.
Marine Blue
#0D5661
Description
The deep indigo blue of Marine Corps uniforms.
Cerulean Blue
#0089A7
Description
A vivid sky blue.
Goblin Blue
#336774
Description
A dull blue-green.
Electric Blue
#255359
Description
A vivid blue with a hint of green.
Saxe Blue
#1E88A8
Description
A cobalt blue associated with the region of Germany known as Saxony.
Smoke Blue
#566C73
Description
The gray-blue of smoke.
Smoke Blue
#577C8A
Description
A dull blue.
Sky Blue
#58B2DC
Description
The blue of a clear sky.
Oriental Blue
#2B5F75
Description
A deep grayed blue.
Azure Blue
#3A8FB7
Description
The blue of a perfectly clear sky.
Slate Blue
#2E5C6E
Description
The gray-blue of slate.
Sapphire Blue
#006284
Description
The blue of sapphires.
Forget Me Not Blue
#7DB9DE
Description
A clear, medium blue.
Ultramarine
#51A8DD
Description
The color of the blue pigment made from powdered lapis lazuli.
Cobalt Blue
#2EA9DF
Description
A sky blue named for a pigment of cobalt oxide and alumina.
Midnight Blue
#0B1013
Description
Blue black.
Navy Blue
#0F2540
Description
A deep blue of British navy uniforms.
Indigo
#08192D
Description
A dark blue produced by dyeing with indigo.
Lapis Lazuli
#005CAF
Description
The soft, slightly purplish blue associated with the semi-precious stone.
Royal Blue
#0B346E
Description
A rich purplish blue associated with the British royal family.
Salvia Blue
#7B90D2
Description
The purplish blue of salvia flowers.
Lavender Gray
#6E75A4
Description
Gray with a hint of pale purple.
Steel Gray
#261E47
Description
A gray with the dark bluish hue of steel.
Prussian Blue
#113285
Description
A deep blue produced with ferric ferrocynide.
Gentian Blue
#4E4F97
Description
The soft, purplish blue of gentian flowers.
Victoria Violet
#211E55
Description
A deep purple
Wisteria
#8B81C3
Description
The purple of wisteria blossoms.
Aster
#70649A
Description
A dull bluish-purple.
Helitrope
#9B90C2
Description
A pink-purple, midway between violet and magenta.
Mauve
#8A6BBE
Description
The color of the first aniline die, a pale grayed pink-lilac.
Bell Flower
#6A4C9C
Description
A bluish-violet.
Heliotrope
#8F77B5
Description
A light pinkish-purple.
Skark
#533D5B
Description
A deep gray with a hint of purple.
Pale Lilac
#B28FCE
Description
The pale purple of lilacs.
Crocus
#986DB2
Description
The pale purple of crocus flowers.
Royal Purple
#77428D
Description
A reddish purple.
Pansy
#3C2F41
Description
The deep violet of pansy petals.
Deep Royal Purple
#4A225D
Description
A deep reddish purple.
Violet
#66327C
Description
The color of violet blossoms; the name Newton gave to the purple end of the visible spectrum.
Purple
#592C63
Description
A mixture of red and blue, with many hies, including lavender and lilac; the unmodified term usually refers to a reddish purple.
Iris
#6F3381
Description
The soft reddish-purple of Japanese irises.
Prune
#574C57
Description
A deep gray with a touch of purple.
Lilac
#B481BB
Description
A pale purple.
Dusky Purple
#3F2B36
Description
A dark, blackish purple.
Eggplant
#572A3F
Description
A brownish purple.
Plum Purple
#5E3D50
Description
The grayed purple of plums.
Lilac Hazy
#72636E
Description
A dull pale purple.
Amethyst
#622954
Description
A vivid reddish purple.
Amethyst Mauve
#6D2E5B
Description
A grayed amethyst.
Peony Purple
#C1328E
Description
A vivid reddish-purple.
Amaranth Purple
#A8497A
Description
A deep reddish-purple.
Plum
#562E37
Description
A deep grayed purple.
Azalea Pink
#E03C8A
Description
The pinkish purple of azalea blossoms.
Indian Purple
#60373E
Description
A purple with a hint of brown.
Snow White
#FFFFFB
Description
Pure white.
Chalk
#FCFAF2
Description
White with a hint of yellow.
Pearl Gray
#BDC0BA
Description
A pale, warm gray.
Silver Gray
#91989F
Description
A silvery gray.
Lead Gray
#787878
Description
A medium gray.
Ash Gray
#828282
Description
A medium gray.
Mouse Gray
#787D7B
Description
Medium gray.
Celadon Gray
#707C74
Description
A gray with a hint of celadon.
Olive Gray
#656765
Description
Gray with a hint of olive green.
Steel Gray
#535953
Description
A greenish-gray.
Dove Gray
#4F4F48
Description
A dark gray.
Black Berry
#52433D
Description
The dark purple of blackberries.
Dark Slate
#373C38
Description
A dark gray with a hint of blue.
African Brown
#3A3226
Description
Blackish brown.
Charcoal Gray
#434343
Description
The blackish gray of charcoal.
Charcoal Gray
#1C1C1C
Description
The grey-black of charcoal.
Lamp Black
#080808
Description
True black; the darkest color.
Ivory Black
#0C0C0C
Description
Lacquer black.