Abstract
Japan has several unique traditional colors. The traditional colors of Japan include a collection of colors used in traditional Japanese literature, textiles such as the kimono, and other Japanese arts. Japanese color system has a long history, leading to some consistencies in color and naming. During the Edo period(1603~1867), the unique color sense of 'iki' produced many color names that are often related to mouse(nezumi) and tea(cha), and fashion color originated as kabuki actors. As for colors named after animals, the most popular appears to be the mouse, which is used to express grey tones. Recently, many fashion companies in Japan have been working on reviving an interest in traditional Japanese colors. Ordinary people of Edo named even slightly different color tones, each with individual exquisite and mind valuing 'iki' senses. They translated these into their livelihood and culture. The colorimetry result of 49 restored dyed fabrics were as follows; Hue difference was 7.8, value difference was 2.9, chroma difference was 1.8 of prefix siro. Hue difference was 3.8, value difference was 1.6, chroma difference was 1.7 of prefix usu. Hue difference was 3.5, value difference was 1.5, chroma difference was 1.4 of prefix cha. Hue difference was 6.4, value difference was 1.1, chroma difference was 1.6 of prefix koi. Hue difference was 7.5, value difference was 0.8, chroma difference was 3.3 of prefix nezumi.
