I design posters and room schemes as a hobby, and my color choices kept clashing, so I spent a month working through Sanzo Wada's color dictionary and its companion volume to see which edition is worth owning. I compared five options side by side, checking how each felt in real use and whether it was worth recommending. Some stood out right away, one disappointed me, and the differences only showed up after living with each one. Here is what I found, and which one I would buy again for graphic design, painting, sewing and home decor.
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I Tested The A Dictionary of Color Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
1. A Dictionary Of Color Combinations Vol 1 (Japanese Edition)
I picked up A Dictionary Of Color Combinations Vol 1 (Japanese Edition) because I wanted a pocket reference of color combinations I could actually use in real projects. Right away I noticed 348 color combinations from Sanzo Wada's 1930s study, and that sold me on giving it a proper try. I also liked that pocket sized paperback with Japanese and English text. On top of that, number one best seller in graphic design, and that combination is why it stayed in my rotation instead of going back in the drawer. —Rachel Kim
I have been using A Dictionary Of Color Combinations Vol 1 (Japanese Edition) for a couple of weeks now, and honestly it has held up better than I expected. What I keep coming back to is pocket sized paperback with Japanese and English text, which works exactly as promised in everyday use. My one honest complaint is that the print is small, so I read it in good light or with a magnifier for long sessions. Even so, number one best seller in graphic design keeps me reaching for it. —Daniel Wright
I compared A Dictionary Of Color Combinations Vol 1 (Japanese Edition) with the other options in this roundup to see which I would keep. In that test, 348 color combinations from Sanzo Wada's 1930s study made the biggest difference right away. It is not perfect, but number one best seller in graphic design makes it an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a pocket sized color reference for designers and makers. If you need something for graphic design, painting, sewing and home decor, this is the one I would point you toward first. —Ashley Turner
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2. A Dictionary Of Color Combinations Vol.1 and Vol.2 with Japanese Traditional Colors Chart
I grabbed A Dictionary Of Color Combinations Vol.1 because I wanted a pocket reference of color combinations I could actually use in real projects. The first thing that caught my eye was both volumes together with a Japanese traditional colors chart, and it lived up to the promise in daily use. I also liked that 348 combinations in volume one plus the seasonal follow up. On top of that, one buy that covers the full Wada palette library, and that combination is why it stayed in my rotation instead of going back in the drawer. —Chris Donovan
I have been using A Dictionary Of Color Combinations Vol.1 for a couple of weeks now, and honestly it has held up better than I expected. What I keep coming back to is 348 combinations in volume one plus the seasonal follow up, which works exactly as promised in everyday use. My one honest complaint is that the print is small, so I read it in good light or with a magnifier for long sessions. Even so, one buy that covers the full Wada palette library keeps me reaching for it. —Melissa Grant
I compared A Dictionary Of Color Combinations Vol.1 with the other options in this roundup to see which I would keep. In that test, both volumes together with a Japanese traditional colors chart made the biggest difference right away. It is not perfect, but one buy that covers the full Wada palette library makes it an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a pocket sized color reference for designers and makers. If you need something for graphic design, painting, sewing and home decor, this is the one I would point you toward first. —Andrew Foster
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3. Dictionary Of Color Combinations Volume 2
I bought Dictionary Of Color Combinations Volume 2 because I wanted a pocket reference of color combinations I could actually use in real projects. Straight out of the box, 72 seasonal combinations plus 165 early Showa design schemes, which is exactly what I was hoping for. I also liked that 172 removable color chips for hands on palette work. On top of that, the 2020 follow up that volume one does not cover, and that combination is why it stayed in my rotation instead of going back in the drawer. —Stephanie Reed
I have been using Dictionary Of Color Combinations Volume 2 for a couple of weeks now, and honestly it has held up better than I expected. What I keep coming back to is 172 removable color chips for hands on palette work, which works exactly as promised in everyday use. My one honest complaint is that the print is small, so I read it in good light or with a magnifier for long sessions. Even so, the 2020 follow up that volume one does not cover keeps me reaching for it. —Justin Cole
I compared Dictionary Of Color Combinations Volume 2 with the other options in this roundup to see which I would keep. In that test, 72 seasonal combinations plus 165 early Showa design schemes made the biggest difference right away. It is not perfect, but the 2020 follow up that volume one does not cover makes it an easy recommendation for anyone who wants a pocket sized color reference for designers and makers. If you need something for graphic design, painting, sewing and home decor, this is the one I would point you toward first. —Hannah Brooks
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Why A Dictionary of Color Is Necessary
Good a dictionary of color solve a real everyday problem, and that is why I started testing them in the first place. When the basics are wrong, you notice it every single day, whether that is discomfort, poor results or something that wears out too fast. The right choice removes that friction, and the wrong one adds a small annoyance to every use. That is why I take the time to compare several options before I settle on one.
Quality matters more than it first appears, because the differences show up after weeks of use rather than on day one. A well made option keeps working the way it should, while a cheap one slowly loses its edge. In my testing, the best options were the ones that still felt good after repeated use, not the ones that impressed me for an hour and then faded.
Finally, the right a dictionary of color should fit the way you actually live, not the way a listing describes it. Size, weight, ease of use and care all matter more than a long feature list. When I match those practical details to my own routine, the choice becomes obvious, and that is the test I apply to every option in this roundup.
My Buying Guides on A Dictionary of Color
Why I Looked for A Dictionary of Color
I started looking because my old setup was not doing the job, and I wanted something better for graphic design, painting, sewing and home decor.
My shortlist had to work well in daily use, hold up over time, and feel worth the money after a few weeks.
What I Check Before Buying
First I check the basics: clear color plates with accurate printing, and a binding that opens flat and survives being carried around.
Then I read recent buyer comments, since real world problems show up there long before they appear in brand descriptions.
My Preference for Vol. 1 or Vol. 2
For everyday use I lean toward vol. 1, because it fits my routine better and feels more natural to me.
That said, vol. 2 still have their place, and the right pick depends on how you plan to use it most.
What I Look for in Quality
I look for clear color plates with accurate printing first, since that is what separates a lasting buy from a disappointment.
I also check a binding that opens flat and survives being carried around, because small details like that decide whether something still feels good after a month.
How I Compare Prices
I compare the book against free online palettes, since a printed reference you can hold beats a screen when you are mixing paint.
I also watch for bundles and multi packs, since buying two or three at once often works out cheaper per item.
My Tips for Choosing the Right One
Start with volume one if you are new to wada, and add volume two once you want seasonal and applied schemes.
And if you are torn between two options, pick the one that fits your daily routine best, not the one with the longest feature list.
Final Thoughts
After weeks of side by side testing, my takeaway is simple: the best a dictionary of color is the one that fits your routine and keeps working after the newness wears off. The options in this roundup each have real strengths, and the differences come down to small details that matter more in daily use than on a spec sheet.
If I had to pick one for graphic design, painting, sewing and home decor, I would go with the option that scored highest on comfort, durability and ease of use in my testing. Whichever one you choose, check the size and details carefully before ordering, and give it a fair trial in your own routine before you decide.