iro Traditional Japanese Colors
Grey & Neutral

灰色

Hai-iro
Ash Grey

A mid-grey named for the color of wood ash — the neutral of Japanese textile history.

Color codes

HEX
#7D7D7D
COPIED
RGB
rgb(125, 125, 125)
COPIED
HSL
hsl(0, 0%, 49%)
COPIED
CMYK
cmyk(0, 0, 0, 51)
COPIED

Origin

Hai-iro became a design workhorse in the Edo period as the base for endless variants — each with the color of a plant or an object added: rikyū-hai (tea-master ash), sabi-hai (rust-ash), and so on.

Where you'll see it

Base color for wa-modern schemes, restrained fashion, quiet interiors.

Contrast & accessibility

Calculating contrast against black and white…

Harmony palette

Computed from the color wheel — base, analogous (±30°), complementary, and triad. Click any swatch to copy.

Tip: analogous colors read as calm; complementary and triad add contrast for calls-to-action.

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