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- The Beauty of Japanese Traditional Colors
- NIPPON COLORS
- ‘Nezumi-iro,’ an Understated Gray Palette
- Elevate Your Design with Japanese Traditional Colors
- Continue Reading
Immerse in the Spirit of Wairo
The Beauty of Japanese Traditional Colors
The traditional colors of Japan epitomize a distinctive artistic aesthetic, spanning red, brown, yellow, green, blue, purple, and monochrome. Rooted deeply in the everyday life and cultural fabric of the Japanese people, these colors have endured the passage of time. The nomenclature of traditional Japanese colors often draws inspiration from nature, seasons, and customs. For example, spring reveals hues like sakura, young grass, and yamabuki; summer unveils shades of blue, green, ruri, and asagi; autumn displays colors such as akane, dry leaf, kuchinashi, and kikyo; while winter introduces tones like white, gray, snow, and kurotsurubami. Neutral tones, heightened brightness, and subdued saturation frequently feature in traditional color schemes, imparting a sense of tranquility and softness. Therefore, Japanese traditional colors not only showcase visual beauty but also serve as the emotional expression of the Japanese people towards nature, seasonal transitions, geographical surroundings, and a rich history.
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NIPPON COLORS
NIPPON COLORS is a Japanese color palette website, presenting an index of 250 traditional Japanese colors. It offers color names and codes in CMYK, RGB, and HEX formats. The site includes a dynamic mode that automatically changes background colors, providing designers with easy access to color inspiration. Users can effortlessly copy color codes with a simple click, streamlining the realization of Japanese-style designs.
NIPPON COLORS 日本の伝統色
Link: https://nipponcolors.com/
Upon opening the NIPPON COLORS website, you are immediately greeted with a random color display. On the right side, the current color’s name and values are shown, including color codes in CMYK and RGB modes.



When hovering over the RGB mode, the corresponding HEX web color value will be instantly displayed on the right side.

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Subtle Elegance
‘Nezumi-iro,’ an Understated Gray Palette
The color ‘Nezumi-iro’ originates from traditional Japanese hues dating back to the Edo period, encompassing a wide range within the gray spectrum. In the early Edo era, the term was coined as an alternative to the negative association of the word ‘灰’ (gray), linked to unfortunate events like fires or wars. Beyond conventional gray tones, ‘Nezumi-iro’ subtly incorporates hints of blue, inspired by the shade of mouse fur. Renowned for its profound elegance, this gray palette has become an indispensable classic in Japanese art.






Harmony in Hues
Elevate Your Design
with Japanese Traditional Colors
Discover Further: Explore Three Websites Curating Japanese Traditional Colors, Offering Color Names, Palettes, and Codes. Noteworthy is ‘伝統色のいろは’ (Japanese Colors), Providing a ‘Birth Color’ Search Feature for Users to Uncover the Beautiful Hue Tied to Their Birthdays.
CITATION
Art Learnings. (2024, February 14). NIPPON COLORS: Overview of 250 Japanese Traditional Colors. Art Learnings. https://artlearnings.com/art-learnings/nippon-colors-japanese-traditional-colors/
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Article Guide ⋮⋮ NIPPON COLORS|Nezumi-iro, Gray Palette|Continue Reading
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