Light Pink & Tea 薄紅と茶

About this combination

Usubeni is a light, slightly washed-out crimson — the pink of cherry petals after two days on the branch. Cha-iro is the brown of roasted tea leaves. Together they are the color scheme of wagashi: delicate, warm, appetite-inviting.

Where it works

• Confectionery and dessert packaging
• Feminine lifestyle brands
• Cafe and tea room identities

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.