What is the traditional Japanese color "azure"?
The color called "aoiro" (蒼色) is a deep green reminiscent of lush, overgrown vegetation. The character "蒼" (ao) represents the appearance of densely overlapping grass and leaves, and "蒼山" (aoyama) referred to a mountain covered in lush green foliage. Although its Japanese reading "ao" might lead one to imagine the color blue, aoiro itself is actually a shade of green. In ancient Japan and China, blue and green were not clearly distinguished and were sometimes represented by the same word.
Azure color = soushoku
The color blue has long been used in literature and painting to represent nature. It is particularly chosen when depicting mountain and field landscapes, and is cherished as a color that conveys the vastness of nature in a deep, tranquil way. "蒼色" is pronounced "sōshoku."
DIC Traditional Japanese Colors: R145 G152 B159 #91989F / Blue (Sōshoku)
What is “Learn about Japan’s traditional colors”?
We will also introduce beautiful traditional Japanese colors, how to read their kanji, and the background behind the colors. Let's enjoy together the Japanese sensibilities that have been passed down since ancient times.
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Learn about Japan's traditional colors
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