{
  "schema": "colorcombinations-learn/v1",
  "generated": "2026-04-27T21:30:46.158Z",
  "publisher": {
    "name": "The Dictionary of Color Combinations",
    "url": "https://colorcombinations.org/",
    "@id": "https://colorcombinations.org/#organization"
  },
  "article": {
    "slug": "heian-court-color-theory",
    "type": "pillar",
    "readingOrder": 1,
    "title": "Heian Court Color Theory: Kasane, Kinjiki, and the Seasonal Palette",
    "description": "How the Heian imperial court (794-1185) systematised colour into layered-robe combinations (kasane no irome), forbidden pigments (kinjiki), and a 12-month seasonal calendar.",
    "eyebrow": "The historical foundation",
    "readingTime": "5 min",
    "tags": [
      "Heian",
      "Imperial",
      "Kasane"
    ],
    "wordCount": 720,
    "datePublished": "2026-04-25T00:00:00Z",
    "outline": [
      "What kasane no irome actually meant",
      "The forbidden colors (kinjiki)",
      "The 12-month seasonal calendar",
      "Reading Wada plates with Heian eyes"
    ],
    "citedTerms": [
      {
        "term": "kasane no irome",
        "pronunciation": "ka-sa-ne no i-ro-me",
        "meaning": "Layered colour combination shown through stacked silk robes."
      },
      {
        "term": "kinjiki",
        "pronunciation": "kin-ji-ki",
        "meaning": "Forbidden colours reserved for the imperial family by sumptuary law."
      },
      {
        "term": "murasaki",
        "pronunciation": "mu-ra-sa-ki",
        "meaning": "Purple from the gromwell plant; highest-status Heian colour."
      },
      {
        "term": "kurenai",
        "pronunciation": "ku-re-na-i",
        "meaning": "Safflower red used for imperial robes and bridal kimono."
      }
    ],
    "relatedSlugs": [
      "japanese-reds",
      "japanese-color-glossary"
    ],
    "url": "https://colorcombinations.org/learn/heian-court-color-theory/",
    "api": "https://colorcombinations.org/api/learn/heian-court-color-theory.json",
    "openGraph": "https://colorcombinations.org/og/learn/heian-court-color-theory.svg",
    "relatedUrls": [
      {
        "slug": "japanese-reds",
        "url": "https://colorcombinations.org/learn/japanese-reds/",
        "api": "https://colorcombinations.org/api/learn/japanese-reds.json"
      },
      {
        "slug": "japanese-color-glossary",
        "url": "https://colorcombinations.org/learn/japanese-color-glossary/",
        "api": "https://colorcombinations.org/api/learn/japanese-color-glossary.json"
      }
    ]
  },
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "source": "colorcombinations.org editorial",
  "indexUrl": "https://colorcombinations.org/api/learn.json"
}