What colors are in the "Vermillion, Black, Gold" palette?

Vermillion, Black, Gold (朱・黒・金) contains 3 colors: Shu (#C8352B), Kuro (#141414), Kin (#D4AF37). From Sanzo Wada's "A Dictionary of Color Combinations" (1933).

When was the "Vermillion, Black, Gold" 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 kamakura era and earlier periods. The source work is in the public domain.

What style or era does the "Vermillion, Black, Gold" palette belong to?

Vermillion, Black, Gold is associated with the kamakura era and emphasizes red tones. The ceremonial triad of temple lacquerware — vermillion, lacquer black, gold leaf.

Can I use the "Vermillion, Black, Gold" 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.

Vermillion, Black, Gold (朱・黒・金) — The Dictionary of Color Combinations

About this combination

This is the imperial and Buddhist ceremonial combination, found on lacquer boxes, shrine architecture, and festival floats. Shu for protection, kuro for ground, kin for transcendence. Use sparingly; it carries a lot of weight.

Where it works

Luxury spirits and packaging
Ceremonial and award branding
High-contrast editorial

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: Kamakura
Dominant hue: red
Moods: bold, solemn
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: Kuro on Kin — 8.76:1 (AAA)

Shu·Kuro3.51:1AA Large
Shu·Kin2.50:1Fail
Kuro·Kin8.76:1AAA

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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Vermillion, Black, Gold 朱・黒・金

About this combination

Where it works

Historical context

Embed this palette

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

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

Kerria Gold & Chestnut— 山吹と栗

Red Lead & Ink— 鉛丹と墨

Crimson & Navy— 紅と紺

Madder Red & Evergreen— 茜と常磐