What colors are in the "Cream Yellow & Vandyke Brown +1" palette?

Cream Yellow & Vandyke Brown +1 contains 3 colors: Cream Yellow (#fdbf68), Vandyke Brown (#4b3317), Deep Violet / Plumbeous (#70727c). From Sanzo Wada's "A Dictionary of Color Combinations" (1933).

When was the "Cream Yellow & Vandyke Brown +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 "Cream Yellow & Vandyke Brown +1" palette belong to?

Cream Yellow & Vandyke Brown +1 is associated with the showa era and emphasizes yellow tones. Plate 192 from Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations — Cream Yellow, Vandyke Brown, Deep Violet / Plumbeous.

Can I use the "Cream Yellow & Vandyke Brown +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.

Cream Yellow & Vandyke Brown +1 — The Dictionary of Color Combinations

About this combination

Combination 192 of 348 in Wada's six-volume 1933 work. A 3-colour grouping of Cream Yellow, Vandyke Brown, Deep Violet / Plumbeous, 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: Cream Yellow on Vandyke Brown — 7.19:1 (AAA)

Cream Yellow·Vandyke Brown7.19:1AAA
Cream Yellow·Deep Violet / Plumbeous2.92:1Fail
Vandyke Brown·Deep Violet / Plumbeous2.46:1Fail

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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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

Cream Yellow & Vandyke Brown +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