What colors are in the "Ivory Buff & English Red +1" palette?

Ivory Buff & English Red +1 contains 3 colors: Ivory Buff (#ebd3a2), English Red (#d96629), Black (#111314). From Sanzo Wada's "A Dictionary of Color Combinations" (1933).

When was the "Ivory Buff & English Red +1" 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 showa era and earlier periods. The source work is in the public domain.

What style or era does the "Ivory Buff & English Red +1" palette belong to?

Ivory Buff & English Red +1 is associated with the showa era and emphasizes yellow tones. Plate 190 from Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations — Ivory Buff, English Red, Black.

Can I use the "Ivory Buff & English Red +1" 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.

Ivory Buff & English Red +1 — The Dictionary of Color Combinations

About this combination

Combination 190 of 348 in Wada's six-volume 1933 work. A 3-colour grouping of Ivory Buff, English Red, Black, as documented in the original plates.

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: Showa
Dominant hue: yellow
Moods: refined, warm
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: Ivory Buff on Black — 12.75:1 (AAA)

Ivory Buff·English Red2.44:1Fail
Ivory Buff·Black12.75:1AAA
English Red·Black5.22:1AA

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.

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Celadon & Unbleached— 青磁と生成

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Related combinations

Three palettes with a similar feel.

Showa era

Ivory Buff & Orange Rufous

Plate 102 from Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations — Ivory Buff, Orange Rufous.

Showa era

Naples Yellow & Peach Red

Plate 115 from Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations — Naples Yellow, Peach Red.

Showa era

Yellow Ocher & Vandyke Brown

Plate 118 from Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations — Yellow Ocher, Vandyke Brown.

Ivory Buff & English Red +1

About this combination

Historical context

Embed this palette

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

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

Ivory Buff & Orange Rufous

Naples Yellow & Peach Red

Yellow Ocher & Vandyke Brown