Shikimei Dai Jiten [A comprehensive dictionary of colors]

1954. WADA, Sanzo. Shikimei Dai Jiten. [A comprehensive dictionary of colors]. 2 volumes. Volume 1: 5, 145 pp. Volume 2: 200 mounted colour samples on 20 cards. 4tos, 260 x 177 mm, publisher's cloth in cardboard slipcase. Tokyo: Sogensha, 1954. One of several important works on Colour by Sanzo Wada. Wada, who lived from 1883 to 1967 is primarily known to the general public for his early paintings, and for winning an Academy Award in 1955 for the costume design in the film Gates of Hell. However, it is really for his pioneering studies in color theory that Wada is perhaps best remembered. In 1927 he founded the Japan Standard Color Association, and its successor, the Japan Color Research Institute is still in operation today. His works are all rare, with this particular one listed on OCLC as being only at Berkeley, worldwide. (Inventory #: 173030)