Haishoku Jiten - Wada Sanzo

Haishoku Jiten: Taisho-Showa No Shikisai Note
By Wada Sanzo
Dictionary of Color Combinations
Japanese language edition.
 
For artists, designers, decorators, architects etc. etc...This book has been loved by many who seeks to experiment with color. Originally conceived in 1930's, it has been published/edited/revised over decades from the popular demand. A great source of inspiration, a delightful visual library, and a classic tool for colour enthusiast.

The main part is the catalogue of the combinations of colors carefully constructed by Wada.
Although text is in the Japanese language, the color names are all bilingual with English. Most pages are made of visual graphics plus color names, except the introductory essays. This book is for looking rather than for reading.
Compact size.
 
Suggestions of 2 colors, 3 colors, and 4 colors combinations are explored.
Each color shows its CMYK composition. This means you can create (or tweak if you like) the same colors/combinations with the ones in the book.
 
Another feature is that there are pages of color taps (5 taps per color) that you can cut off and use as swatches.
 
Description by the publisher:
This book showcases 348 unique color combinations created by Sanzo Wada (1883–1967), a visionary artist and designer whose work continues to influence how we think about color today.
Wada is one of the pioneers of color research. In an era when new, avant-garde uses of color were emerging, Wada stood out for his ability to recognize its importance and turn it into a structured field of study, laying the groundwork for modern approaches to color design.
Wada’s career was remarkably diverse. He was not only renowned as a painter and art educator, but was also prominent in the field of stage design, costume, kimono, and fashion design.
Across these fields, he used his wide-ranging skills to experiment with how colors interact, how they affect perception, and how they can transform form and space. His innovative combinations, both subtle and bold, continue to offer inspiration to artists, designers, and anyone drawn to the beauty and impact of color.
 
Sanzo Wada’s interest in color prompted him to found the Japan Standard Color Association (present-day Japan Color Research Institute) in 1927. Working as a color researcher, artist, fashion designer, and perfomance art director, Wada received the 1954 Academy Award for Best Costume Design for "Gate of Hell" and was recognized as a Person of Cultural Merit by the Japanese government in 1958.
 
Seigensha Art Publishing
Published in 2011
Language ‏ : ‎ Japanese
Dimensions: 14.8 × 10.5 × 20 cm
Pages: 352
Softcover