The Dictionary of
Color Combinations

Kamakura era · austere · refined · serene

Spring Green & Ink 萌黄と墨

Young shoot green against sumi ink — the two extremes of the Japanese calligrapher's world.

萌黄

Moegi

#A7C957

Spring shoot green

墨

Sumi

#1C1C1C

Ink black

生成

Kinari

#F8F4E9

Natural paper

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About this combination

Moegi is the yellow-green of new shoots pushing through earth in early spring. Sumi is the black of stick ink ground on a slate inkstone. Together they frame the scroll of the monk-calligrapher: life against discipline.

Where it works

  • Editorial design with high contrast
  • Stationery and writing supplies
  • Zen-inspired wellness brands

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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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 →

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