Japanese Colors
Colors / Blue in Japan

Blue in Japan

Why does a green traffic light count as 'ao'? Why did Meiji visitors call indigo 'Japan blue'? Blue is the deepest vein in the collection — the working blues of indigo vats clothed an entire era, graded and named dip by dip.

Mount Fuji and a mountain lake under a blue haze
The Blue Pond of Biei, Hokkaidō
Koinobori carp streamers swimming in the May sky
Blue in Japan

49 named colors, dark to light:

褐色 Kachi-iro 鉄紺 Tetsukon 濃藍 Koiai 高麗納戸 Kōrainando 鉄御納戸 Tetsuonando 紺桔梗 Konkikyō 御納戸色 Onando-iro 留紺 Tomekon 御召茶 Omeshicha 青鈍色 Aonibiiro 熨斗目花色 Noshimehana-iro 紺青色 Konjō-iro 御召御納戸 Omeshionando 紺色 Koniro 藍色 Ai-iro 納戸色 Nandoiro 花浅葱 Hanaasagi 錆御納戸 Sabionando 青緑 Aomidori 浅葱色 Asagi-iro 瑠璃紺 Rurikon 勝色 Kachiiro 青 Ao 紅掛花色 Benikakehana-iro 縹色 Hanadairo 瑠璃色 Ruri-iro 藍鼠 Ainezu 枡花色 Masuhanairo 錆浅葱 Sabiasagi 群青色 Gunjō-iro 露草色 Tsuyukusairo 藤納戸 Fujinando 菫色 Sumire-iro 竜胆色 Rindōiro 紅碧 Benimidori 新橋色 Shinbashi-iro 深川鼠 Fukagawanezumi 紫苑色 Shioniro 白群 Byakugun 楝色 Ōchiiro 藤紫 Fujimurasaki 空色 Sora-iro 勿忘草色 Wasurenagusairo 藤色 Fuji-iro 水色 Mizu-iro 薄水色 Usumizuiro 瓶覗 Kamenozoki 藍白 Aijiro 月白 Geppaku