Grey, Brown and Blue in Edo Period Japan

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarified colour systems and usage in Edo period, Japan. The methodology of this study focused on a specific colour naming system, how each colour related to the others and materials used for pigments production. In Edo period specific Japanese Kanji characters had been nominated for each colour. Since each Kanji character represented distinctive meaning, every name nominated thus had its own characteristic. Materials used for each colour and its artistic context has been focused as well. The findings are that in Edo period, all 3 colours in Japan; grey, brown and blue had been differentiated by more than 100 colour names depended on each specific material and production processes.