About this combination
Kon is the deepest grade of indigo — used for samurai undergarments, farmers' field clothes, and eventually Meiji-era school uniforms. Against the cream of unbleached cotton, it reads as straightforward, honest, and quietly formal.
Where it works
- School and academic branding
- Editorial for serious journalism
- Minimalist fashion
Historical context
This palette is inspired by the tradition of Sanzo Wada's 1933 Dictionary of Color Combinations, which cataloged combinations drawn from centuries of Japanese cultural life. The specific colors here use traditional shikisai names that have been in the public domain for generations.