Traditional colors of Japan

Ever heard of 桜鼠, 虹色, 甚三紅 or 淡紅藤? Neither had I before finding this great color chart listing traditional Japanese colors - HEX color codes included.

Wikipedia has more context: "The traditional colors of Japan trace their historical origins to the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System which was established in 603 by Prince Shōtoku and based on the system of Five elements."

へぇぇぇ。

"This is Japan" video

Via Jean Snow, Eric Testroete's amazing "This is Japan" video. Immerse yourself for 7:40 minutes at 6fps.

NYPL's 19th century Japan photo sets

As part of a larger "Asia and the Pacific Rim in Early Prints and Photographs" collection, the New York Public Library has posted two fascinating photo sets on Flickr that give a glimpse of Japan in the late 19th century: Japan / Kimbei Kusakabe and Album of Photographs of Japan.