Color Reference Book vol.1

Colors are an inherent part of human nature. They can explain far more than just one aspect; they can be both rational and deeply emotional. Just as one's personality can be judged by the colors they wear, life can also be broadly concluded as black and white or colorful. Every color holds multiple layers of meaning, and our job is to analyze and define them.

This book is based on the six-volume work "A Dictionary of Color Combinations" by Japanese artist Sanzo Wada, published between 1933 and 1934. It is a comprehensive record of color combinations from the Taisho and Showa periods. In that tumultuous era, the concept of color combinations was not widely valued and was seen as unusual behavior. However, Sanzo Wada, with a forward-looking vision, focused on studying the application of color, thereby laying the foundation for contemporary color theory and its importance.

The book "Color Arrangement Encyclopedia" includes 348 color combinations arranged by Sanzo Wada, categorized by 2, 3, and 4-color schemes. All colors are indexed and presented as swatches, with clear CMYK values for each color, allowing for more accurate application in creative works.

Sanzo Wada graduated from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts in 1904. In the early Showa period, recognizing the importance of color, he founded the Japan Standard Color Association (now the Japan Color Research Institute). He made significant achievements in color research. He was also active in various fields such as painting, film, stage art, and costume design. In 1954, he won an Academy Award for Costume Design for the film "Gate of Hell."