A Dictionary of Color Combinations

If you love colour this is for you. I’ve used this to put outfits together and get ideas for colour schemes at home. It doesn’t cover the full range of colours but there are other volumes available. Great fun.

This book is a proper gem if you’re a visual thinker or someone who struggles to “see” good colour palettes in your head. Originally published in Japan in the 1930s, it’s essentially a collection of beautifully curated, time-tested colour combinations — each one printed cleanly, without explanation, which actually makes it better. It’s not trying to over-analyse, it’s giving you combinations that work, full stop. It’s especially helpful for artists, designers, crafters, or anyone doing visual work like photography or branding. I’ve used it to get ideas for everything from drawing to interior mood boards. And because it’s small and portable, it’s perfect to flick through when you’re stuck or need inspiration. The colours are printed beautifully too — rich and accurate, which makes a big difference. Highly recommended if you want a book that sparks creativity without overwhelming you with colour theory jargon.

Inspiring to see so many special colour combinations in one little book:-)

My eldest son has an interest in Japanese and wanted the book of colour combinations ready for when he gets his own place. This a great book to help with colour combinations

This is useful to coordinate my clothes colours and has helped me pick a fit a couple of times.

Really great book, really helpful for colour schemes

Bought as a gift for my other half and they love it!

Great for ideas

Es ist handlich, und mit 270+ Seiten umfangreich. Es beinhaltet viiiele ästhetische und moderne Farbkombinationen (2er/3er/4er Kombos), ohne Bezüge zu Jahreszeiten oder Stimmungen. Ganz sachlich und neutral. Ich nutze es ausschließlich zur Inspiration und für meine Arbeit mit Aquarellfarben... Aber es ist auf diverse Bereiche anwendbar. Ist es für Kleidungsdesign, Mediengestaltung, Illustration oder das traditionelle Malen: Es ist ein GAMEchanger. Übrigens auch sehr praktisch zum Mitnehmen. (Bin damit schon durchs Möbelgeschäft getanzt.) Ein sehr praktisches Tool und eine überraschende Bereicherung! Japanisch muss man nicht beherrschen. Der Text ist nicht relevant. Das Slipcover verliert schnell an "Schönheit", da es wirklich etwas empfindlich ist. Aber dieses Buch ist eben ein Nachschlagewerk, also für den Gebrauch und eben auch für Verschleiß gemacht. Ansonsten hat es eine tolle Qualität. Bin sehr zufrieden, kann es nur empfehlen! ✨ 👍🏼

Nice book, it is what it is: a dictionnaire of colors

Apesar de pequeno e ter capa simples é um livro referência que deve ser incorporado à sua biblioteca. Um incoveniente é que ele não é totalmente bilíngue. Claro, temos que considerar que as combinações foram concebidas nos anos 30 do século passado e muita coisa já não é tão aplicável.

Good

I purchased A Dictionary of Color Combinations Vol. 1 as a gift for my wife, who studied art, and she absolutely loved it. The book is a visually rich, thoughtfully organized reference that offers timeless and unique color palettes drawn from traditional Japanese design principles. Each page presents carefully selected color combinations that spark creativity and serve as inspiration for any kind of visual work—painting, design, fashion, or interior styling. The minimalist layout makes it not just practical but also beautiful to flip through. Whether you’re a trained artist, designer, or simply someone who appreciates the power of color, this book is a highly rewarding and elegant resource. It makes a fantastic gift and a lasting addition to any creative library. Strongly recommended.