A Dictionary of Color Combinations

by: Sanzo Wada

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This book brings together 348 color combinations inspired by the modern use of color from the Taishō period and the early years of Shōwa. A compact palette reference that revives and updates the chromatic sensibility of that era.

At a time when the concept of “color combinations” was not yet widely established, Wada Sanzō was among the first to recognize the importance of color and went on to compile the Encyclopedia of Color Combinations (six volumes, first published in 1933). This pioneering work marked the beginning of color culture in Japan and became an innovative reference book presenting concrete, practical color pairings.
The present edition is a revised and updated reissue of this classic title. The palettes it contains are valuable not only as historical documents from the Taishō and Shōwa eras, but also for their remarkable relevance and usability today.

The book features 348 examples of color combinations, each accompanied by CMYK values and physical color swatches. It is an especially useful tool for both practical work and research in fields such as color coordination, interior design, and many other creative disciplines.