Thursday, 3 March 2016

vis com: kimono colours

i decided to do some research into kimono colours after finishing some drafts on illustrator. the first one that i did was in blue and the second in red, however i want to use the colour red for the Chinese postcard, so i want to decide on a different colour for the Japan one, but i need to know if certain colours have certain meanings.

Red and White are auspicious colors (good luck). You will find the two colors used for many special occasions, such as weddings, and births

I've decided to change from the Red theme that i had.

Blue and White are also prominent colors in Japanese fabrics and dishware. Yukata is a blue and white cotton fabric used to make summer kimonos called "yukata"

I am considering going with a blue theme, but i need something that will match my pink cherry blossoms.

This is one list of colours from a traditional school of Japanese etiquette. ( Note - Japanese culture is closely linked with the seasons, so each month is also represented by a nature reference.) 
 January Pine: sprout green and deep purple 
 February Redblossom plum: crimson and purple 
 March Peach: peach and khaki 
 April Cherry: white and burgundy 
 May Orange Flower: deadleaf yellow and purple 
 June Artemesia: sprout green and yellow 
 July Lily: red and deadleaf yellow 
 August Cicada wing: cedar bark and sky blue 
 September Aster: lavender and burgundy 
 October Bush Clover: rose and slate blue 
 November Maple: vermilion and grey-green 
 December Chrysanthemum: lavender and deep blue

Kimono Ao (blue-green) - corresponds most closely to turquoise-green Moegi (sprout-green) - could also be called grass-green or apple-green 
Kurenai (scarlet-pink) - a bright, slightly yellow-toned pink produced from the benibana, safflower, an herbal dye source. The closest thing to red in the fashion palette, since truer red, “Ake” was primarily used to indicate rank. 
Kobai (plum-pink) - a light red with a purple cast. 
Suo (maroon) - another red, wandering in tone from purple to brown to orange. It is the name of the tree (sappanwood) from which the dye comes. 
Ki (yellow) - the purest yellow Kuchiba (old-leaf tan) - described as dead-leaf yellow. (lit. rotted leaves). If it were a bit brighter it would approach mustard. 
Yamabuki (golden yellow) - a tree-shrub, the Kerria japonica with a roseate yellow blossom. A golden yellow like that of the common freesia. 
Murasaki (purple) from the root of the gromwell, difficult to work with and restricted for the use of those of high rank. A fragile colour, tended to fade. A range of purples included shades called fuji (wisteria), keshi murasaki (a greyed mauve), ebi (red-violet), koki (deep violet) and usuki (pale violet). 

Generalized Color Meanings 
 Yellow - In the Far East, a sacred color; but it the West it can mean treachery. 
 Red - Passion; gets the blood flowing more intensely. 
 Orange - Represents knowledge and civilization. 
 Violet - Stately and royal 
 Blue - Cool, passive, and also symbolizes fidelity (as in true blue) 
 Green - Restful and fresh 
 White - Purity and truth 
 Black - Gloom, sorrow and depresssion. 

After doing this research it will really help with deciding the colours for my piece, and making sure that i stay true to the traditional Japanese culture.

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