November 8th Color Calendar Lead Color (Nama-iro)

November 8th, Color Calendar: Lead Color

"When the sky grows heavy, the mind grows quiet."

The sky today is leaden. The cloudy sky is quiet, heavy, and gentle, like a deep breath of the season.

Lead color is a dull gray with a slight blue tinge, derived from the metal lead. It has a texture that absorbs light, and in contrast to cheerfulness, it is also a color that invites introspection.

This color has a motionless time. It's not raining, and it's not snowing. The sky is simply silent. On such days, it's best to stay inside and quietly read a book or write a letter, rather than going outside.

The lead color is also connected to the aesthetics of wabi-sabi. It does not seek splendor, but it certainly exists. The quiet beauty found under a cloudy sky remains gently in the depths of your heart.

References

• "Traditional Japanese Colors" by Shikosha • "Japanese Color Handbook" edited by the Plant Dyeing Research Group • "Lead Color" — irocore.com
• "Dictionary of Color Names for the Four Seasons" Kodansha