Traditional colors of Japan

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The traditional colors of Japan are a collection of colors traditionally used in Japanese literature, textiles such as kimono, and other Japanese arts and crafts.

Video Traditional colors of Japan

History

The traditional colors of Japan trace their historical origins to the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System which was established in 603 by Prince Sh?toku and based on the five Chinese elements. In this system, rank and social hierarchy were displayed and determined by certain colors. Colors known as kinjiki (??, "forbidden colors") were strictly reserved for the robes of the highest ranking government officials; for example, the color ?tan (orange) was used as the color for the robes of kuge and use by any other lower rank was prohibited. Colors known as yurushiiro (???, "permissible colors") were permitted for use by the common people.

Most names of colors originate from the names of plants, flowers, and animals that bore or resembled them. Certain colors and dyeing techniques have been used since the Asuka period, while others had been developed as late as the Meiji period when synthetic dyes became common.

Note that due to the long history of use of this color system, some variations in color and names do exist. Many of the names of these colors originate from Chinese, where the hierarchical color system is even more complex.

Maps Traditional colors of Japan

Colors

Red/Violet series

Red series

Yellow/Red series

Yellow series

Yellow/Green series

Green/Blue Green series

Blue/Blue Violet series

Violet series

Achromatic series

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Notes

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References

• Hibi, Sadao; Fukuda, Kunio (2000). The Colors of Japan. Kodansha International. ISBN 978-4-7700-2536-4. 
• Nagasaki, Seiki (2001). Nihon no dentoshoku: Sono shikimei to shikicho (in Japanese). Seigensha. ISBN 4-916094-53-0. 
• Nihon Shikisai Gakkai (1985). Shinpen shikisai kagaku handobukku (in Japanese). Tokyo Daigaku Shuppankai. ISBN 4-13-061000-7. 

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External links

• Japanese Traditional Color Names (in Japanese)
• Japanese Traditional Colors

Source of article : Wikipedia