About Japan Paint Index

A searchable reference for artists outside Japan who want to choose Japanese paints by what is in the tube.

Where the data comes from

• Color names, Colour Index pigment codes, lightfastness, transparency, staining, granulation, caution marks and set contents: Holbein Artists' Watercolor catalog (English/Japanese edition) and its color list.
• Prices: Holbein price revision table 2026/11 (effective 2026-11-02). These are suggested retail prices in Japan excluding 10% consumption tax. In that revision Holbein moved 8 colors to a higher price series; their color pages show the previous series.
• Exchange rate for USD guides: 157.05 JPY per USD, derived from the ECB euro reference rates of 2026-10-22.

We record facts such as codes and ratings and write our own descriptions. Swatch colors on this site are approximate digital values and will not match the real paint; check a hand-painted chart before buying.

Who runs this site

Japan Paint Index is run by Erabu Japan, an independent publisher based in Japan. Questions and corrections are welcome on the contact page.

Independence

Japan Paint Index is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Holbein Art Materials Inc. Product and brand names belong to their owners.

Affiliate disclosure

Links to the manufacturer are not affiliate links and earn us nothing. When we add links to retailers, some of them will be affiliate links: if you buy something after clicking one, the retailer may pay us a commission at no extra cost to you. Every affiliate link will say so right next to it. Commissions do not change the data on this site, which comes from the manufacturer's catalog.