Physical copies of this book are beautiful (high-quality Japanese binding, thick paper, accurate color printing) but heavy and expensive (often $30–$50+). A PDF version allows designers to keep 348 unique color combinations on their tablet, laptop, or phone, ready for instant reference while working in Photoshop, Procreate, or Figma.
Brand designers often feel stuck between safe monochromes and garish rainbows. Vol.2 provides 200+ “safe unusual” combos—colors that are unexpected yet harmonious. This is a signature trait of Japanese aesthetics: shibui (effortless subtlety).
The original A Dictionary of Color Combinations (also known as Haishoku Sōkan), compiled by Japanese artist and costume designer Sanzo Wada (1883–1967) in the 1930s, was a monumental work that systematized traditional Japanese color sensibilities. For decades, it remained a niche reference for textile designers and painters. Its 2010 reprint (Volume 1) sparked a global renaissance, becoming a viral sensation among illustrators and UI/UX designers.
Following the unprecedented success of the first volume, A Dictionary of Color Combinations Vol. 2 was released. Unlike a simple "more of the same," Volume 2 curates a different chronological slice of Wada’s extensive archive. If Volume 1 is associated with Taishō-era romanticism and quiet nature (indigo, persimmon, moss green), Volume 2 is rooted in the early Shōwa era’s modernization, reflecting the infiltration of Western synthetic dyes and the psychological complexity of pre- and post-war Japan.
