Sanzo Wada's Dictionary of Color Combinations
Sanzo Wada (1883–1967) was a Japanese artist, teacher and costume designer whose work bridged traditional Japanese aesthetics and Western color theory. He published a six-volume series, A Dictionary of Color Combinations, pairing precise color swatches into harmonies that still feel strikingly modern today.
Each combination is a small lesson in balance — warm against cool, muted against saturated, grounded by earthy neutrals. These vintage Japanese palettes have a harmony that generations of designers, illustrators and artists return to for inspiration.
Wada Colors brings the dictionary to your phone. The classic combinations are free to browse, and a built-in camera scanner lets you match the colors around you to Wada's century-old palette.
The dictionary & its collections
Sanzo Wada's combinations are published in two volumes by Seigensha, grouped into themed collections:
The Classic Collection
The original 348 color combinations from Volume 1 — the timeless harmonies the dictionary is best known for. Free to browse here and in the app.
The Seasons Collection
Combinations from Volume 2 arranged around the twelve months and the moods of the year — palettes that evoke each season.
The Design & Fashion Collection
Volume 2 combinations curated for design, branding and fashion — ready-made palettes for creative work.
