ToolkitBook
Explore over 150 historical shades derived from kimono textiles, ukiyo-e prints, and classical architecture. Organized into 11 categories, the palette is searchable by romaji, English name, or hex code. Click any swatch to copy the code instantly.
These are historically significant hues used for centuries in textile design, woodblock printing, ceramics, and architecture. The naming system stems from natural dye sources—such as indigo, madder, and safflower—and reflects a deep cultural appreciation for the changing seasons and the natural world.
Click any swatch to copy its hex code to your clipboard. Use the category tabs to filter by color family, or use the search box to find a specific shade by its romaji name, English translation, or hex value. Each entry displays the color's romaji name, kanji, English equivalent, and hex code.
Traditional Japanese dyeing relied almost exclusively on botanical pigments. Indigo leaves produced deep blues, madder root yielded vibrant reds, and the bark of the Amur cork tree provided yellow tones. These names identify both the visual shade and the raw material used to create it.
Yes. These hex values are compatible with CSS, Figma, Photoshop, and any standard design software. The palette is characterized by the muted, desaturated tones that define the traditional Japanese aesthetic, making them ideal for sophisticated or minimalist projects.
The collection features over 150 named colors categorized into red, pink, brown, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, gray, white, and black. Each card provides the romaji name, kanji characters, and an English translation.
The Heian court (794–1185) established the *kasane no irome*—strict rules for layering colors in kimonos. During the Edo period (1603–1868), access to dyes expanded to the general public. In response to sumptuary laws that restricted commoners from wearing bright colors, artisans developed a vast range of "subtle" grays and browns. Names from both eras remain in common use today.