The traditional colors of Japan are a collection of colors traditionally used in Japanese literature, textiles such as kimono, and other Japanese arts and crafts.
History
The traditional colors of Japan trace their historical origins to the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System which was established in 603 by Prince Shōtoku and based on the five Chinese elements. In this system, rank and social hierarchy were displayed and determined by certain colors. Colors known as kinjiki (禁色, "forbidden colors") were strictly reserved for the robes of the highest ranking government officials; for example, the color Ōtan (orange) was used as the color for the robes of kuge and use by any other lower rank was prohibited. Colors known as yurushiiro (許し色, "permissible colors") were permitted for use by the common people.
Most names of colors originate from the names of plants, flowers, and animals that bore or resembled them. Certain colors and dyeing techniques have been used since the Asuka period, while others had been developed as late as the Meiji period when synthetic dyes became common.
Note that due to the long history of use of this color system, some variations in color and names do exist. Many of the names of these colors originate from Chinese, where the hierarchical color system is even more complex.