About this combination
Gunjō is ground lapis lazuli — the blue of Buddhist statuary hair and illuminated sutras. Gofun, a chalk white made from ground oyster shell, is the traditional gesso of Japanese painting. Together they are the base and sky of classical temple art.
Where it works
- Fine art and museum branding
- Book covers for classic literature
- Luxury packaging that earns restraint
Historical context
This combination from Wada's catalog anchors Gunjō, Gofun and Kogane in the blue family — a 3-colour grouping with a solemn, serene, austere character, recorded in the Kamakura-era volumes of Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations, where these shikisai names have sat in the public domain for generations. Its strongest pairing — Gunjō on Gofun — reaches a contrast ratio of 7.98:1, clearing the WCAG AAA bar for body text, so it holds up for text-on-colour layouts as well as decorative use.