Curated palettes
from the traditional palette.
Ten five-color palettes drawn from Japanese seasons, aesthetic traditions, and specific places. Each palette links to full detail pages for every color.
Spring Blossom
Cherry blossom pink, plum blossom, and early sprout — the palette of March in Kyoto.
Early Summer Garden
Wisteria, azalea, iris, and young bamboo — the color of temple gardens in late May.
Summer Cool
Colors of a yukata festival evening — pale leek, sky, and water blues.
Autumn Leaves
The full spectrum of momiji season — persimmon, madder, loquat, and fallen leaf.
Seven Autumn Flowers
A palette drawn from the traditional seven flowers of autumn (aki no nanakusa).
Winter Shrine
The color of vermilion torii against snow — the palette of Fushimi Inari in January.
Kyoto Machiya
The warm reds and umbers of traditional Kyoto townhouse facades.
Edo Iki
The subtle greys and browns that defined Edo townspeople's aesthetic of restrained cool.
Heian Court
Aristocratic silks of the Heian imperial court — the palette of the Tale of Genji.
Japan Blue
The full range of indigo blues that Meiji-era visitors called 'Japan Blue'.