Kurenai Red

The classic red in Japanese poetry (waka), deep and passionate like autumn leaves

HEX#C73E3A

RGBrgb(199, 62, 58)

HSLhsl(2, 56%, 50%)

HSVhsv(2, 71%, 78%)

CMYKcmyk(0%, 69%, 71%, 22%)

HEXA#C73E3AFF

RGBArgba(199, 62, 58, 1)

HSLAhsla(2, 56%, 50%, 1)

OKLCHoklch(72.2%, 0.115, 23)

LCHlch(66.2%, 31.9, 26)

🎨 Color Palettes

Analogous2-3 adjacent hues (≤60°)

Triadic3 hues spaced 120° apart

Split ComplementaryMain color + colors adjacent to its complement

Complementary2 hues spaced 180° apart

Tetradic (Rectangle)4 hues forming a rectangle

MonochromaticSingle hue with varying saturation and lightness

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Aa14px Body

High Contrast Text

#FFFFFFRatio 5:1AA

Suitable for body text, headings, and primary content, ensuring readability for all users

Aa14px Body

Standard Text

#F8F0E7Ratio 4.5:1AA

Suitable for regular body content, meeting WCAG AA standards

Aa14px Body

Large Text / UI Components

#C9CE50Ratio 3:1AA Large

Suitable for large text (≥18px bold or ≥24px), icons, UI component boundaries

Aa14px Body

Decorative / Dividers

#38C73DRatio 2.3:1Fail

Suitable for decorative elements, dividers, non-essential text

📊 Color Scales

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Lightness VariationFixed hue and saturation, stepwise lightness adjustment ±30%

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#772522

#9F312D

#C73D38

#D26460

#DD8B88

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Saturation VariationFixed hue and lightness, stepwise saturation adjustment ±30%

#A1615E

#AD5552

#BA4945

#C73D38

#D4312B

#E0251F

#ED1912

Lightness + Saturation Mixed VariationSimultaneous lightness and saturation adjustment

#572A29

#773331

#9B3A36

#C03E39

#D35450

#E16F6B

#EC8C89

Hue Fine-TuningFixed saturation and lightness, stepwise hue fine-tuning ±15°

#C73857

#C7384B

#C7383F

#C73D38

#C74938

#C75538

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💡 Use Cases

🍁

Autumn Leaves Tourism

Famous kurenai leaf spots like Kyoto's Arashiyama and Nikko are packed every autumn. The autumn leaves season is Japan's most romantic travel period.

🎎

Noh Theatre Stage

Kurenai Noh costumes and masks are the soul of Noh. The kurenai on stage is mysterious and shocking under the dim light.

📜

Waka Poem Cards (Tanzaku)

Writing waka on kurenai-colored poem cards. The contrast of red and black ink is the top-tier pairing of Japanese calligraphy art.

🍂

Autumn Kimono

A kurenai visiting kimono with autumn leaf patterns is a classic choice for autumn tea ceremonies and theatre outings, seasonally appropriate and tasteful.

📜 Origin & History

Kurenai is the most frequently appearing color word in Japanese waka poetry. From the Man'yōshū to the Kokin Wakashū, kurenai has carried a millennium of Japanese emotion. Kurenai leaves (momiji) are the symbol of autumn and the core image of 'mono no aware' (the pathos of things) aesthetics.

In the Heian period, 'kurenai leaf hunting' (momijigari) was a refined activity among the nobility. The kurenai leaves of Arashiyama blazed like fire. Sei Shonagon praised the beauty of kurenai leaves as surpassing cherry blossoms in 'The Pillow Book'.

In Noh theatre, kurenai-colored masks represent young women or deities. Kurenai costumes are the visual focus on stage, symbolizing passion and supernatural power within Noh's symbolic system.

During the Edo period, momijigari spread from the nobility to the common people. Ukiyo-e prints extensively depicted the grand scenes of popular kurenai leaf spots. Utagawa Hiroshige's series 'One Hundred Famous Views of Edo' features the most moving kurenai leaf images.

Modern kurenai remains a keyword for Japanese autumn tourism. Every October, all of Japan tracks the 'kurenai leaf front'. Kurenai is a significant driver of Japan's tourism economy.

🧠 Color Psychology

Profound Pathos (Mono no Aware)Kurenai leaves are the pinnacle of 'mono no aware' aesthetics. Dazzlingly brilliant yet ultimately destined to fall, kurenai carries the profound Japanese emotion for beauty and its passing.

Autumn PassionKurenai is the flame that ignites the mountains in autumn, like the final blaze of life—magnificent and tragic, stirring the soul.

Waka Poetry's Profundity (Yugen)Kurenai is the color of waka. For a thousand years, poets have entrusted their boundless thoughts of 'yugen' (mystery and depth) onto kurenai leaves; it is the color of the literary soul.

Transience and EternityKurenai leaves are at their peak beauty for only about seven days. Kurenai teaches one to treasure the moment—the transient is eternal, a chromatic expression of the Japanese sense of time.

Romantic JourneyMomijigari is a classic dating itinerary. Kurenai is the chromatic catalyst for autumn romance, elevating the mood.

Traditional ReminiscenceKurenai connects to the elegant memories of the Heian dynasty. Wearing a kurenai kimono while viewing red leaves is a journey back through a thousand years.

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