osaka® – colour name inspiration

In this post we are detailing the inspiration behind the colour names of osaka®. Refreshed in 2023, the palette has twelve colours ranging from soft neutrals to brighter pastel pops. The design of osaka® is inspired by a map of the city, therefore, the colour names are all Japanese words.

Meaning light, hikari was introduced to the osaka® collection as a warmer light greige option.

A comfortable beige option, sesame is named after the sesame seed garnish that is found on many Japanese foods.

kumo is a rich dark grey option, meaning cloud.

A pure medium grey from the original 2018 palette of osaka®, arashi means storm.

gingko is inspired by the bright yellow leaves on gingko trees that are native to Japan.

A bright pastel inspired aqua green, kawa means river.

A Japanese rice cake, mochi is a soft and safe greige. One of our most popular colours from the original 2018 palette of osaka®.

kori means ice, and is a cold blue that compliments grey and beige neutrals.

chiru is a bright and cool blue, easily used as a neutral carrier. Meaning chill, it is a perfectly crisp blue tone.

sora is a calming mid blue hue, meaning sky.

A bright, celebratory red, hanabi means fireworks.

A dark black brown, sumi means ink and relates back to the traditional art of Japanese calligraphy.

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See more images and request samples of osaka® on our website.