Pale Blue & Vermillion 浅葱と朱

About this combination

Asagi, a pale teal-blue, was the color of the Shinsengumi's haori in late-Edo Kyoto. Shu, vermillion, is the color of torii gates and temple pillars. Together they carry the tension of duty and devotion.

Where it works

• Posters with a signal vs. ground dynamic
• Games or films with a historical setting
• Masculine editorial work

Historical context

This palette is inspired by the tradition of Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations, which cataloged combinations drawn from centuries of Japanese cultural life. The specific colors here use traditional shikisai names that have been in the public domain for generations.