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.

Download the Color Palette

The Traditional Colors of JapanTraditional Japanese Color Palette

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.