What colors are in the "Sky Blue & Vermillion" palette?

Sky Blue & Vermillion (空と朱) contains 3 colors: Sora (#7AB2D3), Shu (#D8453A), Gofun (#F4EEE0). From Sanzo Wada's "A Dictionary of Color Combinations" (1933).

When was the "Sky Blue & Vermillion" 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 "Sky Blue & Vermillion" palette belong to?

Sky Blue & Vermillion is associated with the edo era and emphasizes blue tones. Clear sky blue against shrine-gate vermillion — a New Year morning.

Can I use the "Sky Blue & Vermillion" 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.

Sky Blue & Vermillion (空と朱) — The Dictionary of Color Combinations

About this combination

Sora-iro is the clear, bright blue of a winter sky over the Kanto plain. Shu is the sacred vermillion of torii gates at Shinto shrines. Together they compose the exact visual of a New Year's shrine visit — expectation, prayer, cold air.

Where it works

Travel and tourism brands
Festival and event branding
Children and family products

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: blue
Moods: bold, cool, 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: Shu on Gofun — 3.76:1 (AA Large)

Sora·Shu1.89:1Fail
Sora·Gofun1.99:1Fail
Shu·Gofun3.76:1AA Large

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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Preview

Other palettes in Color Palettes for Websites.

Heian era

Crimson & Navy— 紅と紺

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

Edo era

Pale Blue & Vermillion— 浅葱と朱

The faded blue of Shinsengumi jackets against shrine-gate vermillion — restrained power.

Muromachi era

Celadon & Unbleached— 青磁と生成

Celadon pottery green beside the unbleached warmth of raw silk.

Edo era

Indigo Blue & Silver— 縹と銀

Mid-grade indigo with the quiet sheen of silver — an understated Edo merchant robe.

Muromachi era

Grass Yellow & Rikyū Grey— 刈安と利休鼠

Wild grass yellow tempered by the muted grey favored by the tea master Sen no Rikyū.

Heian era

Royal Purple & Silver— 紫と銀

Imperial purple set against lunar silver — Heian courtly luxury at its quietest.

See the full color palettes for websites collection →

Related combinations

Three palettes with a similar feel.

Edo era

Pale Blue & Vermillion— 浅葱と朱

The faded blue of Shinsengumi jackets against shrine-gate vermillion — restrained power.

Edo era

Indigo Blue & Silver— 縹と銀

Mid-grade indigo with the quiet sheen of silver — an understated Edo merchant robe.

Edo era

Bitter Orange & Navy— 橙と紺

The sharp orange of the daidai citrus set off by deep indigo navy.

Sky Blue & Vermillion 空と朱

About this combination

Where it works

Historical context

Embed this palette

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Other palettes in Color Palettes for Websites.

Crimson & Navy— 紅と紺

Pale Blue & Vermillion— 浅葱と朱

Celadon & Unbleached— 青磁と生成

Indigo Blue & Silver— 縹と銀

Grass Yellow & Rikyū Grey— 刈安と利休鼠

Royal Purple & Silver— 紫と銀

Pale Blue & Vermillion— 浅葱と朱

Indigo Blue & Silver— 縹と銀

Bitter Orange & Navy— 橙と紺