iro Traditional Japanese Colors
Red & Pink

蘇芳

Suō
Sappanwood Red

A deep reddish-purple dyed from the imported sappanwood tree.

Color codes

HEX
#973D49
COPIED
RGB
rgb(151, 61, 73)
COPIED
HSL
hsl(352, 42%, 42%)
COPIED
CMYK
cmyk(0, 60, 52, 41)
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Origin

Sappanwood arrived in Japan from Southeast Asia along with Buddhism in the Nara period. It gave dyers a range of purplish reds depending on the mordant (alum or iron), and was widely used for sutra covers and formal robes.

Where you'll see it

Buddhist ceremonial goods, formal kimono, refined interior accents.

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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