THE BEAUTIFUL COLORS of EUROPE and JAPAN
TIMELESS BEAUTY
_JPG.jpg)
.jpg)
A BEAUTIFUL EUROPEAN
COLOR PALETTE
● ● ● ● ●
The word nuance refers to subtle differences in tone, language, or expression.
In the world of color, nuance colors are low-saturation hues with a soft, ambiguous quality. Examples include greige (●#B1A08A), a blend of grey and beige; ecru (●#EEE7E0), a tone between white and beige; and pink beige (●#D5A499), a subtle fusion of pink and beige. In Europe—especially in France—many colors have elegant and poetic names. For instance, pearl grey (●#BDBDB7) evokes a bright, lustrous grey, while eau de rose (● #C58087) describes a gentle, dusty pink. These nuanced tones have been beloved for generations, offering a palette of understated beauty and timeless charm.
The word "nuance" describes the subtle difference in tone or words.
A BEAUTIFUL JAPANESE
COLOR PALETTE
● ● ● ● ●
In Japan, during the Edo period, intermediate colors between brown and grey, known as "Shijuhachi-cha Hyakunezumi" (48 shades of brown and 100 shades of grey), became highly popular. This trend emerged against the backdrop of the Sumptuary Laws issued by the shogunate, which prohibited extravagance and luxury among commoners. Vivid colors like purple and crimson, as well as silk fabrics, were deemed luxurious and thus forbidden.
In response, the people of Edo ingeniously enjoyed various intermediate colors by adding "cha" (brown) or "nezumi" (grey) to the end of color names. The sheer number of these variations led to them being called "Shijuhachi-cha Hyakunezumi."
Examples include Shiracha (White Brown, ●#DDBB99), Ebicha (Grape Brown, ●#6C2C2F), Beninezumi (Crimson Grey, ●#A06F70), and Sakuranezumi (Cherry Blossom Grey, ●#D8C6BC). Among these, Chanezumi (Brown Grey, ●#A99E93), a combination of the popular brown and grey, was the most beloved color of its time. It was said that "brown is subdued and chic, while grey is refined and stylish.
SENSE OF BEAUTY
"Iki" (粋) refers to a unique Japanese aesthetic, born in Edo, embodying a spirit of refined style. Even amidst prohibitions against extravagance and luxury, the people of Edo never lost their playful spirit. They wove their own unique beauty by subtly incorporating intricate decorations and materials in inconspicuous places, creating an understated splendor, and by enjoying diverse color variations by adding "cha" (brown) or "nezumi" (grey) to color names.
This cool spirit of ingenuity and rich-heartedness, even when faced with limitations, reflects the pure inner beauty of the people of Edo.
Alongside the Japanese aesthetic of "Iki," the French word "Esprit" (philosophy, wit) is often discussed as a parallel aesthetic. France possesses a beautiful esprit, encapsulated in "Art de Vivre" (the art of living, finding and celebrating beauty richly and authentically). This embodies a sensibility and wit for discovering and enjoying beauty in everyday life.
Japan's "Iki" and the West's "Esprit"—both teach us that beauty is something created by the heart.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
