What colors are in the "Bitter Orange & Navy" palette?

Bitter Orange & Navy (橙と紺) contains 3 colors: Daidai (#F28C28), Kon (#1B2A4E), Gofun (#F4EEE0). From Sanzo Wada's "A Dictionary of Color Combinations" (1933).

When was the "Bitter Orange & Navy" palette created?

This palette is from Sanzo Wada's 1933 reference work "A Dictionary of Color Combinations" (Seigensha Art Publishing 2010 reprint). Wada documented historical Japanese color combinations from the edo era and earlier periods. The source work is in the public domain.

What style or era does the "Bitter Orange & Navy" palette belong to?

Bitter Orange & Navy is associated with the edo era and emphasizes orange tones. The sharp orange of the daidai citrus set off by deep indigo navy.

Can I use the "Bitter Orange & Navy" palette in my own design?

Yes. The source palette by Sanzo Wada (1933) is in the public domain. This page's curation and metadata are CC BY 4.0 licensed — attribution to colorcombinations.org appreciated but not required for the colors themselves.

Bitter Orange & Navy (橙と紺) — The Dictionary of Color Combinations

About this combination

Daidai — the bitter orange used in New Year decoration — signals renewal and prosperity. Against kon, the deepest grade of indigo, it carries a merchant-class energy: confidence, generosity, success earned.

Where it works

Sports branding with warmth
Confident startup identities
Food brands with bold flavor

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.

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Details

Era: Edo
Dominant hue: orange
Moods: bold, warm, playful
Colors: 3

Accessibility

WCAG contrast ratios between every color pair. Use the strongest combinations for text; the weakest ones make good decorative backgrounds.

Strongest pair: Kon on Gofun — 12.20:1 (AAA)

Daidai·Kon5.75:1AA
Daidai·Gofun2.12:1Fail
Kon·Gofun12.20:1AAA

How to read this

AAA: Passes WCAG 2.1 AAA for normal text — the highest accessibility bar.
AA: Passes WCAG 2.1 AA for normal text. Standard production requirement.
AA Large: Passes WCAG 2.1 AA for large text only (18pt+ or 14pt+ bold). Avoid for body copy.
Fail: Below WCAG 2.1 AA. Fine for decorative use — not for text.

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From the editorial · Long read

Heian Court Color Theory: Kasane, Kinjiki, and the Seasonal Palette

How the Heian imperial court systematised colour into layered-robe combinations (kasane no irome), forbidden pigments (kinjiki), and a 12-month seasonal calendar.

Read the article →

Other palettes in Color Palettes for Branding.

Heian era

Crimson & Navy— 紅と紺

Deep safflower crimson against navy — the courtly contrast of Heian-era robes and formal Edo textiles.

Muromachi era

Scorched Brown & Unbleached— 焦茶と生成

The dark brown of scorched wood against unbleached hemp — quiet materials.

Edo era

Madder Red & Evergreen— 茜と常磐

The rooted red of madder-dyed cotton set against enduring pine green.

Edo era

Persimmon & Burnt Brown— 柿と焦茶

Autumn persimmon against scorched cedar — harvest colors from the countryside.

Edo era

Crimson Lake & Pine— 臙脂と松葉

The deep lake crimson of cochineal against pine needle green — winter evergreen.

Kamakura era

Vermillion, Black, Gold— 朱・黒・金

The ceremonial triad of temple lacquerware — vermillion, lacquer black, gold leaf.

See the full color palettes for branding collection →

Related combinations

Three palettes with a similar feel.

Edo era

Persimmon & Burnt Brown— 柿と焦茶

Autumn persimmon against scorched cedar — harvest colors from the countryside.

Edo era

Kerria Gold & Chestnut— 山吹と栗

The bright gold of the kerria flower against the warm brown of roasted chestnut.

Edo era

Light Pink & Tea— 薄紅と茶

A whisper of pink against tea brown — the tone of an Edo-period lacquer sweet box.

Bitter Orange & Navy 橙と紺

About this combination

Where it works

Historical context

Embed this palette

Support the archive The full catalog, on your disk, as a thank-you.

Heian Court Color Theory: Kasane, Kinjiki, and the Seasonal Palette

Other palettes in Color Palettes for Branding.

Crimson & Navy— 紅と紺

Scorched Brown & Unbleached— 焦茶と生成

Madder Red & Evergreen— 茜と常磐

Persimmon & Burnt Brown— 柿と焦茶

Crimson Lake & Pine— 臙脂と松葉

Vermillion, Black, Gold— 朱・黒・金

Persimmon & Burnt Brown— 柿と焦茶

Kerria Gold & Chestnut— 山吹と栗

Light Pink & Tea— 薄紅と茶