REVISED STANDARD SOIL COLOR CHARTS

explonotion
1t �
JIS nototion
Murnell noto11on)
± � .g (��1:1��°:.�f) Munsell's soil
color names PC.C S color names

7.SR 7/1 ,i;J!IT:!: (l,ghl reddish groy) - grayish p1nk

7.5R 6/1 ¡¡¡¡ 8i. (redd,sh groy) - gray1sh brown
7.5R 6/2 8i. ¡¡¡¡ (groy"h red) - aray1sh brown
7.5R 5/1 ¡¡¡¡ 8i. (reddish groy) - gray1sh brown
7.5R 5/2 lx ilf. (groyish red) - graylsh brown
7.5R 5/3 1:..-l·�II (dull redd,sh brown) - gray,sh brown
7.5R A/1 lt!Jllf:!: (dork reddish groy) - gray,sh brown
7.5R A/2 lx ;¡¡¡ (groyish red) - gray,sh brown
7.5R A/3 1:..:l·�ll (dull redd,sh brown)
.,, -- grayrsh brown
redd1sh brown
7.5R A/A l: •l ::Lsk.y red
7.5R A/6 ;¡¡¡ (red) - redd1sh brown
7.5R A/8 w. (red) - redd1sh brown
7.5R 3/1 IIW.T:!: (cforl redd,sh groy) - dark srayish brown

.
7.5R 3/2 llif.11 (dorl reddosh brown) - dark grayish brown
7.5R 3/3 llif.lfl (dorl redd,sh brown) - dark grayish brown
7.SR 3/A ,¡¡¡ (dorl red) - reddrsh brown
7.SR 3/6
7.5R 2/1
11 ilf. (darl red)
(redd,sh block)
-- roddish brown
dark grayrsh brown
iJ!< JI
7.5R 2/2 1111.ilf.lll (very dorlt redduh brown) - dark graylsh brown
7.5R 2/3 li'lilf.� ( very dork redd,sh bfown) - dark grayish brown
ji( 7.SR 1.7/1 ¡¡¡¡ 1111 (redd"h bloclcl - dark gr ay,sh brown

IOR 7/1 '!ll!Jllf:!: (lr9h1 reddosh gray) - gray1Sh pink

lOR 6/1 ar. T:!: (redd"h gray) reddish gray gray,sh brown
IOR 6/2 T:!: ¡¡¡¡ (groyrsh red) pale red gray,sh brown
IOR 6/3 l: ..-l•:;t,ll: (dull reddosh oronge) pale red gray1sh brown
IOR 6/A 1: ..-l•;Jf.ill (dull reddrsh e<onge) pale red lrght reddrsh brown
IOR 6/6 ilf. 11 (redd,sh o,onge) lr¡¡ht red lrght redd,sh brown
IOR 6/8 w. ti ( reddrsh 0<onge) light red strong reddrsh 0<ange
lOR 5/1 ¡¡¡¡ T:!: (reddrsh gray) reddish ¡¡ray grayish brown
lOR 5/2 ¡,¡ ¡¡¡¡ ( groyrsh red) weak red gray1sh brown
IOR 5/3 i/f. 11 ( redd,sh brown) weak red gray1sh brown
IOR S/A i/f. 11 ( reddrsh brown) weak red lrght reddrsh brown
lOR 5/6 ¡¡¡¡ (,ed) red light redd1sh brown
IOR 5/8 i/f. (red) red strong redd1sh orange
IOR A/1 llilf.lx ( dar< reddish groy) dark reddish gray gray1sh brown
lOR ,12 m i/f. ( groy;sh red) weak red gray,sh brown
lOR ,¡3 iff, ll (reddrsh brown) weak red gray,sh brown
lOR ,/A i/f. 11 ( redd,sh brown weak red reddish brown
lOR ,;6 '11< (red) red redd1sh brown
lOR ,¡e i/f. (red) red deep reddish orange
lOR 3/1 ltif.T:!: (dar, reddish gray) dark reddish ¡¡ray dark grayish brown
lOR 3/2 'lilf.11 ( dorl reddish brown ) dusky red dark gray,sh brown

.
...
lOR 3/3 'l;;l;II (dork redd,sh brown) dusky red dark grayish brown
lOR 3¡, ¡¡¡¡ (dork red) dusk)• red redd1sh brown
lOR 3/6 ¡¡¡¡ (dork red) dark red reddish brown
IOR 2/1 ilf. A ( reddish blocl reddish black dark grayish brown
lOR 2/2 ll'li/f.1'\ ( very dorl redq"h brown) ,·er¡• dusky red dark grayish brown
IOR 2/3 lltti/f.!& ( very dork reddrsh brown) - dark grayish brown
:« lOR 1.7/1 ¡¡¡¡ A ( reddrsh bloc\) - brownish black

2.5YR 7/1 l\l!ilf.lx ( 1,ghr redd,sh grey) - pinkish beige

2.5YR 7/2 'Ylif.lx ( loghl redd,sh gray) - p,nkrsh be,ge
2.5YR 7/3 ���il ( poli reddrsh o,onge) - p1nk1sh beige
2.5YR 7 ¡, �i/f.!lt ( poli redd,,h c,ronge) - dull orange
2.5YR 7/6 lit (o,onge) - dull orange
2.5YR 7/8 ill (oronge) - lrght reddrsh orange
2.5YR 6/1 ilf. ¡,¡ ( reddrsh gray) p1nk1sh beige
2.SYR 6/2 m ilf. e groyish red) ¡,.11� red p,nk,sh beige
2.5YR 6/3 t:..:1.,-t;: ( dull 0<onge) J - p,nk,sh beige
2.5YR 6/A t: .;.:\.,ffl ( dull O<MQO) lrght reddi,h hrmm lrght brown
2.5YR 6/6 !ll ( o,onoe) liRht rP<I light brown
 (r:�ri
Mun<l.'ll's '<ni
JIS notolion
( Munsoll notollon)
± f! .g
0���
º') culor narru..... PCCS color names

2.5YR 6/8 '! (0<an9e) ll�ht red strong redd,sh 0<�nge

2.5YR 5/1 llf. ¡¡¡ (•odd,sh gray) gr:,y,�h brown
2.5YR 5/2 s: 1.l (Arn,1ik ,�d) \\T:lk fl'() gr.1y,sh brown
2 5YR 5/3 t:h \•á'r,111 (dull redJ,,h f)fO\•.n) gray,sh brown
2 5YR 5/A t:. ,,�,, ( r1ull redrfo.h llf " ") fl'tJd1 ..h brr-wn light brown
2 5YR 5/6 BJl¡¡f fS (h,1,�t,1 tire ........ ) 1,'<I light brown
2.SYR 5/8 lll!;,llfll (b,,ohl b,o"n) red strong redd,sh orance
2.5YR 4/I \f. /Ji. ( •e.JJ,,h 91oy) gray1sh brown
¡¡¡ �

.,.
2.5YR ,12 ( 9rny ,.h rt-<ll weak l'l'<I gray,sh brown
( d ,11 r�dd,�h tlfo-,..n)
1:.- l.'��
'ª c,wll
2 SYR •/3 sray,sh brown
2 5YR 1: .,.a.,¡ff redd1\h L.rewn) n't1<!1,h brown bto·1tn

·*·�$:
2 5YR A/6 Jf. lll (redd .. h brown) red brown
2.5YR •18 11 (redti1sh h<o.,..n) nxl deep redd,sh orange
2 5YR 3/1 (Jorl redd.•h gro,) dark vay,sh brown
2 5YR 3/2 IIIJf UI ( Jurl 1t Id �h h,o...,, n) du,k) reel dark gr 3)'1Sh brown
2 5YR 3/3 IIIJf.l,\J ( d<1,. •n<ld,:.h hrown) dark gray,sh brown
2.5YR 3/A 'lñ-111 ( dor� rL·dd,sh Lro'-"11) dnrk reddi-h brown brown
2 5YR 3/6 'IW,I& (dorio radd,>n Lrc ... n) dark red brown
2.5YR 2/1 ;Jf: /.1 (redd,s� Hocl) dark gray,sh brown
2.SYR 2/2 &•1:,;;1&l ( very dorL re,;o �I· lJrc,wn) n·ry du ....k y n-d d:uk gr ay1sh brown
2.5YR 2/3 11�:JJ.l,ll ( 1,1f.!ty rf..i1� ,,.iJ, .t, ll#o .....n) durk brown
2 5YR 21, iilllWIII (v€:1'/ ú,,,• rt:1.J,J1 bh':!t,n) tlark rt•d11i....h brown dark brown
�· 2.5YR 1.7 /1 ;¡,; !I,\ (,e M1sh blc.1,·r.) 1
brown,sh black

5YR 8/1 Bi. o (hghr gray) white pale pmk1sh beige

5YR 8/2 fJi. a (hghr gray) pink1'*1 whnc palo p,nk,sh be,ge
5YR 8/3 ¡JI:. 11 (µole o,onge) µmk pale orange
5YR 8/• ;ll:. !l ( pole oronge) p,nk pale orange
SYR 7/t 'lll"'B: (l,ghl btown1\h qrn 1) l,¡¡ht J(ía)' pmk,sh beige
SYR 7/2 f!R¡gB: (hg�,I bf'Own,�h 1;ruy) ptnkrsh �r:tr p1n�1sh beige
SYR 7/3 1: ... ,.m (dull oronge) pink p,nk,sh beige
SYR 71• t: ... ,,11 (dull ornnge) pmk dull orange
5YR 7/6 i) {oronge) 1fficli..J1 yi?llo\\' dull orange
5YR 7/8 � l0tong�) r,'Cld1"1 )ello\\ hght orange
5YR 6/1 111 Fx. (brownish qrny) �ray pink,sh beige
5YR 6/2 fx HI (9,oy1!.h t.i,own) p1nk1!\h S(ra}' pmk,sh beige
5YR 6/3 t: ... ,•!11 ( dull 0<onge) hgh; reddish hrrJ\\ n pink,sh beige
5YR 6/• t: .;.,,11 (dull 0<00110) hght redd1sh hn,wn light brown
5YR 6/6 !l (o,onge) reddrsh ycllow hght brown
5YR 6/8 lll (0<onge) rtddr',1, )'ellow strong orange
5YR 5/1 ,a fJi. (brown,sl, gray) gray gray,sh brown
SYR 5/2 fJi. ,a (groy,sh brov..n) redd1,h ¡¡rar gray1sh brown
5YR 5/3 t: .;..\•¡;J\fA (dull rodd,sh brov.n) rc-dd ,sh bro" n grayish b<own
SYR s¡, l:�l'�fl ldull redd1sh brown) rL'C!dish brov. n light brown
5YR 5/6 '!ll;Jf.fa (bf1ght redd1sh brown) yellowis.i red light brown
5YR 5/8 '!llf.<1' (ot1ght redd1sh btown) rello"•ish red deep orange
SYR ,11 11 fx ( brown,sh gray) dark gray gray1sh brown
fx ,a
.,,
5YR 4/2 (groyish b,o....-n) dark redd1sh gra)· gray1sh brown
5YR •/3 1:-l•;ffel,I (dull ,eddish brown) redchs.h brown gray1sh brown
SYR 1:....:l15f.fa; (dull redd1sh b10\'lon) rt.l(khsh brown brown
SYR •16 ijf. ¡,I¡ (redd,,h b•o"n) ydlowish red brown

• "'
SYR •18 ijf. (<edd,sh h,a,..n) >ellow,sh red deep brown
5YR 3/1 ¡¡¡ ( brown,sh block) verr dark gray dark gray,sh btown
5YR 3/2 ltiif.111 (dad redd1sh brown) d;irk reddrsh brown dark gray1sh brown

"'*""'
5YR 3/3 (dor\ redd,s.h brown) t1ark reddh,h hrown dark gray1sh brown
5YR 3/4 lflW-111 (do,I 1edd,sh bro-.n) dark reclclish hrown brown
SYR (do,• re-dd1sh b,Q\·,11)
5YR
3/6
2/1 ...
ltiif.l&
111 (bu,>1m11•.h t,l,u \) l� .... k
trown
d;uk gray1sh brown
 JIS nofotion
(Munsoll nototion) ± e. � (r;�liº����f) Munsell's soil
color narnes
p e.e s. color names

SV
SV
8/3
8/,
¡:¡
i/:1 'JI! " (polo yellowl
(polo yollow)
pale yellow
pale yellow
grayish yellow
dull yellow

•" s
5V 8/6 (yellow) yellow dull yellow
5'( 8/8 (vel!"\,J yellow strong y,llow
5V 7/1 ¡;¡¡ (l,gl,1 q,ny) light irr•r grayosh yellow
5V 712 8i. o (l,qh1 q,ay) hght gray grJylsh yellow
5'( 7/3 � 14: (ltght yollow) pale yellow ¡royosh yello�·
7¡,

•
SV ,lt Jlt (l,9h1 yellow) pate yellow dull yollow
SV 7/6 (yellow) ycllow dull yellow
SV 7/8 1' (y•llow) yellow enve yellow
SV 6/1 8i. (g,oy) ltghl gray gray,sh yellow
5V 6/2 f,i,,t•J-7 (gro.,.1s.h ohve) itKhl olive gra)' grayish yellow
5Y 6/3 ,t 1)-7't (oltve yellow) pale olive gray,sh yellow
5V 6/, ,t ')-7'Jt (olt..- yeUow) pale hli\'C da,k yellow
5V 6/6 ,t 1)-7 (oloYO) oltvf' yellow dark yellow
5'( 6/8 ,t 1)-7 (olovo) olive yellow ohve yeUow
5'( 5/1 8i. (grny) R'"Y gray,sh onve
5'< 5/2 T,i.,t 1) -7 ( groy,sh olive) ohve gr.,y gray,sh olive
5'( 5/3 f,i,,t 1)-7 ( g1ay1sh ohve] olive gray,sh ohve
5'( 5¡, ,t•J-7 (olove) olive onve
5'( 5/6 :t') -7 (oltve) oliH' onve
5'( ,11 8i. (gray) dark ¡¡ray gray1sh olive
5'( ,12 8(,t 1) -7 (groy,sh olove) olive yra)' grayish olive
5'( 4/3 lf:t 1¡ -7 ( do,1 olove) olive eray1!.h ol,ve
5'( ,¡, tB,t 1) -7 ( dark olovo) otrve olive
SV 3/1 ,t•J-7/11; (olovo hlocl) very dnrk gray gray1sh ouve
5'( 3/2 ,t 1)-711\ ( olove block) dark olive erar cray,sh ohve
5V 2/1 /11 (block) black di>rk gray1sh olive
5'< 2/2 ,t 1) - 7 JI\ ( ol,ve block) black dark gray,sh ohve

7.5'( 8/1 fJ: o ( l,gh1 groy J - gray1sh yellow

7.5Y 8/2 8i. o (loghl g,oy) - grayosh yellow
7.5'< 8/3 ;Ji � ( pole yellow J - gr3y1sh yellow
7.5Y 7/1 8i. Él ( light gray J - gray1sh yellow
7.SY 7/2 8i. s ( light gray) - gray1sh yellow
7.5V 7/3 ;i. 1i ( l,gh1 �cllow) - gray1�h yellow
7.5V 6/1 8i. (groy) - gray,sh yeUow
7.5Y 6/2 f,i,,t 1¡ -7 (groy"h ehve) - gray1sh yellow
7.5'< 6/3 ,t •J - 7 ,t ( ol,ve yellow) - gr ay,�h yellow
7.5Y 5/1 8i. (g,oy) - grayish ohve
7.5Y 5/2 8i. ,t 1¡ - 7' ( groy,sh olive) - gray1sh olive
7 SV 5/3 81.,t ') -7 (groy,sh ol,ve) - gray1sh cbve
7.5'< ,11 fJ:
8i.:t 1)-7
(gray) -- gray1sh olive
7.5'< ,12 (groyosh ol,ve) gray,sh olive
7.5'< ,¡3 Sll;j'IJ-7 [dork olove) - g,ay,sh euve
7.5V 3/1 ,t ') -7111 ( croe blocll - gray,sh olive
7.5'< 3/2 ,t 1¡ -71'1 ( ohve blocl) - gray,sh olive
7.5'< 2/1 ffl (blncl) - da,k gray1sh olive
7.5'( 2/2 ,t•J-7,1!1 (olive block.) - gray1sh olive

IOV 8/1 8i. s(loghl gray) - gray,sh yellow

IOV 8/2 fJ: s( l,ght g,oy J - gray.sh yellow
IOV 7/1 8i. e(l,gl,1 g<oy) - gray,sh yellow
IOV 7/2 fJ: e(l,9h1 g,o¡) - gray,sh yellow
IOY 6/1 8i. (gro·¡) - gray,sh yellow
IOY 6/2 ,t•J-781. (ohvc grny) - gray1sh yellow
lOV 5/1 8i. (9,oy) - gray1sh olive

' -
IOY 512 ,t 1) - 7 8i. (al.ve grny) gray1sh ohve
lOV ,11 fJ: (g<ny) - gr J)'tSh rihyf"I
 JIS notollon
(Munsell notat,on) .± !!, � ('���O:º�';:c�r) Munselts S<>1I
color narues PCCS color names

IOY ,12 :t11-71J: (oh ... e gro,) gray1sh ol,ve

:t•)-7.111 l 'i.e L!acl J
-
IOY 3/1 gray1sh ohve
lOY 3/2 ,t•)-71� (ol•�e t,lnc•) gray,sh olive

"' a
lOY 2/1 (b•o,,) dark gray,sh olive

N 8 81. (groy,sh .,..h re) wtute light gray

N 7 IJ: B (groy1 h v."'"') hght gray haht aray
N 6 81. (q,uy) gray li&hl medlum gray
N 5 ¡;¡ (9,,11) gray med1um gray
N A fJ:. (q,oyl dark gray dark med1um gray
N
N
3
2 'ª IJ: (do,I g•oy)
(rJucll
vcry dark gray
black
dark gray
gny,sh black
N-2 1\ bloc<) black
N 1 s l\ (hlock) hlack
2 SGY 8/1 IJ: a ( l,gh1 g,oy) - Pale yellow sreen
2 SOY 7/1 IIJ!:t•J-71J:
:t•J-71J:
(l,gh1 ol"e g,oy)
(oh,e g,oyJ
-- grayish leal
aray,sh leal
2 SGY 6/1
2 SOY 5/1 :t•J-7fX (ol,,o gray - gray,sh olive green
2.SGY ,11 tm,t•)-781. (dorr olive groyJ - gray,sh ohve green
250'!' 3/1 lj;t•J-7(;): (dor< chve groy/ - gray,sh olive green
2SGY 2/1 111 ( blockl - dark gray1sh olive gree

SGY 8/1 IJ: a (1,ghl gro¡) - pale yellow green

SOY 7 /1 IJl!:t•J-71X 11gt,1 ol,we goy - gr ay,sh leaf
SGY ,t 1¡ - 7 r,¡ Iouve g,oy) -
-
6/1 gray,sh leaf
SOY 5/1 ,t 1¡ -7T,i. {el.ve g,oy) gray1sh ohve green
SGY A/1 ll,t•J-71X (do,I ohve groy) - gr ay1sh olive green
SOY 3/1 l:l;t•J-71J: (dorl ohve q,oy) - gray1sh ohve green
SOY 2/1 :t ,¡ -7'' ( º'"º
block l - dark gray1sh ohve gree

7SGY 8/1 lj,ljlllX ( lighl 9recr11sh gro'() - pale yellow green

7 SGY 7/1 DJlUf:l: ( l,gl.1 g,een,,J, gray) - gray,sh leal
7.SGY
7.SGY
6/1
5/1
u IJ:
11 ¡,¡
( g,eor-.iih goy)
( 9reen1sh g,oy)
-- gray,sh le.af

-
gray1sh olive green
7 SGY ,11 1au1,: ( dar� green•sn gray) gray,sh ouve green
-
11 �,
7 SGY 3/1 llfü« (J,.i,t.. g1een,.h nrov) gray1sh olive green
7 SOY 2/1 ( �h�n,sh bloc.,) - dark gr ay1sh olive green

IOGY 8/1 l!IJUT;l: (hc:;t,1 greer,sh g,ciy) - pate yelfow green

IOGY 7/1 IIJlUf:l: ( l1gh1 9rcer11Ul q,o ;) - gray,sh leaf
IOGY 6/1 l1 (;): (q1N.,u.Sh �JrCJf) - gray,sh leal
IOGY 5/1 it Di. (,g,u·n,:,,h gay) - gray,sh green
lOGY A/1 IBHR (dorl qf&@nish qru¡)
�·,,,>
- gray1sh green
IOGY 3/1 •tll 1:1' e do,l 91e�1.uh - dark gray1sh green
10CY 2;1 ti
"' (qrt-t•l'l1\h t.lnd) - dark gray,sh green

so
!>G 6/1
7 1 IJltllX
tt ¡;¡;
(l,qhl Htt:1�w h ur,1¡)
( yrt::•·rush �jiu-,,)
-
-
hght gray,sh green
ltght gray,sh green
SG 5/1 )./ lk (�,:>,e01\h '"º') - gray1sh greM
5G ,11 lflUf:I: (Jo,� y1e«t1 d1 q1,1y) - gray,sh green
SG 3/1 liUBi. (drnl V't'r' 1).h q111·,) - dark gray1sh green
5C 2/1 u Jlil (y,een,�h hlu, �) - dark gray1sh green
., 5G 17/1 lt ffl (91�111".t, !l,1r�) - greemsh blac.k

100 7 /1 ·�*1rn (l,qM yrct-rut!. gr,.,,) - h&ht gray,sh green

IOG 6/1 11 r,¡ (91��111)t. y'O,) - hght gray1sh green
IOG 5/1 ll IJ: ( 41Cf'fot)h 91,•¡) - gray1sh green
IOG � 11 iaur:1: (tfod· q,een;sh gro·,) - gray1sh green
IOC 3 1 q¡,r,¡ (dno, q,,.e,n1\h qr,i;) - dark er3y1sh green
 JIS nototion
( Munsell nototion) ± {!; � (T���c����f) M unsell's soil
color names PCC.S color names

lOG 2/1 u rn (green ,h block) dctrk ¡ray,sh green

'!' lOG 1.7/1 u 1111 ( green sh block) gree,.sh black

511G 7/1 'Ylllflx (l,ght blu"h groy) light grayrsh green

m
""
56G 6/1 ( blu,,h gray) hghl grayrsh green
56G 5/1 m ( blu,,h groyl gray1sh green
58G ,11 ••m (dook blu,,h grov) 1ray1sh green
oa•m
•
58G 3/1 ( dar� blu1sh gray) dark gr ay,sh green

.. 58G 2/1
511G 1.7 /1 j1f
ffl
I'\
(bluo,h block)
( blu"h block)
dark gray,sh green
green,sh blatk

lOBG 7/1 'Yltlflx (loght bluosh gray) light gray,sh green

"
108G 6/1 ¡;¡¡ (blu"h oray) loght gray,sh green
108G 5/1 lit m {blvuh gray) gr3y1sh green
lOIIG ,11 lftlff:l: ( dar! blu"h groy) gray1sh ereen
108G 3/1 •ttlíf:l: ( dork blu,sh gray) dark gray,sh green
llf· 111 ( bluuh blocl)

••
108G 2/1 dark 8r'ly1sh green
ll! 108G 1.7/1 ( blu,sh block) green,sh black

•• mm
58 7/1 fj/jllff:l: (l,ght blu"h groy) grayish si.y
58 6/1 ( blu,sh g,ay) gray1sh btue
58 5/1 (blu,,h groy) gray,sh �lue
58 ,11 ll'llff:l: (dork blu,sh gray) gray,sh blue
(dor� blu1sh o,oy}

•
58 3/1 tllJff:l: dark gr ay,sh blue
58 2/1 11.1 (�lu,,h hlor k) d.1rk gr3y1sh blue
ll\ 58 1.7/1 Ji 111 (t.lu1sf, hl<1ck) bluosh black

5P8 7/1
5PB 6/1 .. u.
•Jl!lllx
f:l:
(ltqh1 l>lu,�h groy)
(blu,�li gro,.)
hght bluosh gray
blU1sh gray

"'
5PB 5/1 ( bluosh groy) bhush &"ªY
5P8 ,11 lft'iltf:I: (dt11i bluuh ()IOY) d.Jrk blu,sh gr.Jy
IJl'lll'l:R ( dorl blu.,I, !JfºV)

•
5PB 3/1 dark blu,sh gr '1)'
5P8 2/1 !!!. (blu,,h l,locl) bhash block
;!! 5P8 1.7 /I .,.,. /'1 ( blu,sh blocl) blu,sh hlack

5P 7/1 IIJl:.l'l:R ( ligl.t puq.,l.s.h groy) ltr,ht porplt\h cn,y

5P 6/1 i;.i: f:l: h,u,pll!.h �,ay) pu,ph�h gray
5P 5/1 � m (purµh�h groy) purplish gray
5P 4/1 'ª��Jx (tJu,l purpl1sh gray) ,t,,k purplish gr.1y

I
5P 3/1 18�\-� (dw• 1�u,pl1sh qrny) rlark por¡>h,h gray
5P 2/1 ,,. w
•< (putpl,�h t,locq pu, phsh blatk
:.:: 5P 17/1 � ... (¡,oq,l,�J, l.lu<q porpl,�h lJIJck

5RP 7/1 IIJl",'-1:< ( ligl11 r·uq h- h nrny) l,eht purplt�h r,, :iy
5RP 6/1 �..i:- m ( r,u,pli'J, uroy) purplt�h gr.iy
5kP 5/1 �·
" fx (¡,11q,l1<tl1 l}IU'f) pu,phsh gray
5RP 4/1 •t :,\rn (do1l puq 1 .h q,n•,') dark pu1pl1!)h cr.:.y
5RP 3/1 ·�";,X (thu' J,Ulplt\h C¡h1y) d.:uk purphsh 1•.rJY
5RP 2/I '"
·•· 11' (111.-. •. l,'i.11 b!u l) f>U1plish bl;u k
•;• 5RP 17¡1 !�. ... (1>1Ar,l1 h l lu11.) purph�h bl,t< k

5R 7/1 IYJ:lr,f:R ( l,9!.1 ,cd,füh grny) gray,�h p,uk

SR 6/1 ;¡f. m ( rodJ1sh gruy) eray1sh red
SR 5/1 ;ñ, m (redd,,h groy) grJy1�h red
SR 4/1 'l'ñ.l:R ( dork •edd,,li q,ay) gray,sh red
SR
SR
3/1
2/1
llliililx
iff. ,� ( dorl redd,sh qto 1)
( u•dd1 ..h hlo(\)
dark eray1sh red
dJrk gra)•ih red
ir SR 17/1 iJt, .'� ( 1r<ld· ,h Llock) tedj1sh black
 JIS notofion
(MunHII nototion) ± e. � {T;��o��:e�f) M unsell's soil
color names PC C.S color names

5YR 2/2 JI 11 (brown,sh blocl-) dark rmdish brown dark ¡ray,sh b,o ...n
5YR 2/3 lilJl ;tia l"HY dor� rerld1sh bro"'n) - dark brown
5YR 2/• i-fll�;¡¡¡ (vrry dni1 rl"rid1sh lrown) dark brown
,!' 5YR 17 /1 jll (blo<<l - brownish block

7.5YR 8/1 m n (ló7l,1 9,oy) - pale be,ge

·�··11.
7.SYR 8/2 ¡,¡ R (l,911 ¡1oy) 11111kish whhe pale beige
7 5YR 8/3 (ligt.1 yello,·,. oronge) pale ounge
7.5YR 81• ,l.M!Jl ( l1qh1 yt-,lew c,1or1qa) pmk pale orange
7.SYR 8/6 ;lJUft (l,qhl ;ell("lw or,111i�e) reddish ycllow pate ounge
-
"l!Jllll'.I:m
7.SYR 8/8 ( ¡ollow on:inqe) light orange
7.SYR 7/1 H}lfAU:. (l,ght t,,ownio;h groy) - beige
7.5YR 7/2 (l1oh1 tAVwl"l)h n,o.,.) pmkish r.rar beige
7.SYR 7/3 1:.�c·ta ( dull orongo) - beige
7.5YR 71• ,:.;.,,ta ( dull oronge) µ111k dull orange
7.5YR 7/6 111 (orongo) reddish yellow dull ounge
7 SYR 7/8 :Jl la (yellow oronge) reddish ) ellow lt¡ht ounge
7.SYR 6/1 l,ll m (brown11h nroy) - beige
7.SYR 6/2 m !.\l (Qtoy1� t-ro..... n) pmki"-h ,:ra)' beige
7.5YR 6/3 1: ., ,,,¡¡ (dvll 1 ,own) beige
7.5YR 6/• 1: .,.1,.,lft (du1I Qf•11lQO) light brown light yellow1sh brown
7 5YR 6/6 lfl (0"1ng�) rL-<ld1 ...h }'dlow hght yellow1sh brown
7.5YR 6/8 ill (o,onge) nxkhsh yellow strong orange
7.5YR 5/1 1,11 rn (b1owm1h nrol) -brown gray,sh b,o,.._..,
7.5YR 5/2 rn 1,11 (4jtOy1:ah hr,;.. ..-..n) gray1sh brown
7.5YR 5/3 1: ... ,-,& {dv 1 b,o..,.�n) - gray1sh brown
7 SYR 5/• 1: ..;.,,,. (du I brown] brown yellowish brown
7.5YR 5/6 H)l 1ll (br,qt.1 brown) strung brown yellow1sh brown

"' Mrong brown

7.5YR 5/8 lj,lj ( l,,,ghl b,own) deep orange
7.5YR A/1 !.\l fÁ ( IYo.-.n,sh g,oy J gr ay1sh brown

"'
7.5YR •/2 B: (groy1:.h broir.n) dark hrown gray1sh brown
7.5YR •13 111 (bro ..... n) gray1sh brown
•f•
"'
7.5YR (brown) dark hrown yellow1sh brown
7.5YR A/6 ¡¡ (l,o,·,n) - yellow1sh brown

.
7.SYR 3/1 JII '11 (bro.... ,,,d, blocL.) - dark gray1sh brown
7.5YR 3/2 JII 1,11 (brown•)h tio,;li:) dark brown dark gray1sh brown
7.5YR 3/3 1.11 ( dori bro'wn) dark yellow1sh brown
3/A !&I -
,,
7.5YR llt (doá brown) dark yellow1sh brown
7.5YR 2/1 111. (bloc.) - dark gray1sh brown
7.SYR 2/2 1& (brownl>h blod) - dark gray1sh brown
7.SYR 2/3 &•11¡¡ h·er ¡ don. bro.-.n) - dark yellow1sh brown
11! 7.5YR 1.711 � (bloc•) - brcwnrsh black

10YR 8/1 ¡,¡ El (t,9h1 g,ovJ wbite Pllle beige

10YR 8/2 ¡,¡ e (loghr gro¡) whire pale beige
IOYR 8/3 ;ut1n ( l19t.l Y"'tlow o,o,...ge) \'Cry palc bnrn n pale beige
lOYR 8/4 ,Utill (l ght yellow 0<an9e) ,·err palc hrnwn dull orange yellow
10YR
10YR
10YR
8/6
8/8
7/1
"
1(
m El
tll.
•Ji
(ye low o•ongt-)
('re low oronge)
(I ..Jhl •J<O/)
yc:llow
ydluw
lt).!hl hrf:l}'
dull

beige
orange yellow
strong orange yellow

10YR 7 /2 t:.;.\.,,t.m_ (J,JII yelk1.v ornnge) light J{r:ty beige

10YR 7 /3 t.·ñ-l•jlfl (Jull yell ""oran!Jt!) \'l'(}' palc hrown beige
10YR 71• {:..;.\.•�Jj (dull yello.v 0tan�;... ) vt:r}· pall� brown dull oronge yellow
lOYR 7/6 lj,lj'.jl:Jg (b11ghr yeHov,1� l,r,1,..n) rcllow dull orange yellow
�
" (ye11ow orcngc)
lOYR 7/8 yellm\' gold
lOYR 6/1 lli m r btowfli!.h gro¡) l,�ht 1:ray beige
lOYR 6/2 1>:Jt!ll (910-.,1:.h '),.Jlcw l,rown) hgh1 hrnw,w.. h gr:1y beige
IOYR 6/3 1:.,.,,�'11. {dvll yellow c,o,,,,.-) p.'llt" hrO\\O �1e•
 JIS notolion
( MunsoU notollcn)
± @. .g (r;��º��: º') Mun"('Ji's '-011
culor nan1t>o1;, PCCS color namf's

2.5YR 6/8 m (oronge) h¡.:ht red strong redd1sh o,�nge

2.5YR 5/1 '1is IJi. ( reod,<,h gro,·) grJ)'1Sh bro�n
2.5YR 5/2 !Ji. 7,: (grn,1!.h rf-1) wcak n'C'I gt3)'1Sh brown
2 5YR 5/3 !Cd \•óf.!11 ldvll red,foh l.,,o,.,n) gray,sh brown
2 5YR 5/A 1:.,,•w1ll ( dull redd ,h I• ,.n) rt-cltl1'11 lm.wn licht brown
2 5YR 5/6 B)J¡f� (f\n�ht brov..�) 1('(1
hght brown
2.SYR 5/8 'lJ!,�1,1 ( C,r,oht brown) rt,'tl strong redd1sh orance
2.SYR A/1 ¡f. /Ji. ( •odJ,,, grov) gray,sh brown
�
.,.
2.5YR A/2 IJi. ( gro y �h red) \\"(•;1k n.:d gray,sh brown
2 5YR A/3 1.:.....:1.,:,- ti ( d ,11 ,edd sh 1>1,�v..n) gray,sh brown
2 5YR t:"'''·A:14 (·foll reddeb l;ri::,..... n) n·d,h�l hnm n brown
2 5YR A/6 ¡f. 1& (redd �h h,vwf't) rt'O brown

"
2.5YR A/8 ;;/¡; (re-dri1sh brc ... n) red deep rodd,sh orange
2 5YR 3/1 •&;tlJi. (dorl redd.·h gro,) dark Bf:,y1sh brown
2 5YR 3/2 1111:f,Cfll (Jur\. 1t JJ,:.h hrov..n) du,k) rt'<I dark gr3y1th brown
2.5YR 3/J ra;v.111 ( d,,,� 1r::.kl,�h brown) dark gray,sh brown
2.5YR 3/A lfhf.líl (dr,o rudd1!.h l,,0....,11) dnrk reddrsh brown brown
2 5YR 3/6 ll'lf,1" (cfo,� rvdd,>n l,tC .-,n) dark red bro-Nn
2.5YR 2/1 ;Jf. � (•cdd,sh Ho< 1) dark gray1sh brown
2.5YR 2/2 &•nr-111 { vc<y d<Jri rede, )li bfown) H'll duvky nxl d3rk g,ay1sh brown
2.5YR 2/3 itll'lfl,11 ( VN'f c1Jd f¡l,Í,j, ,h t,,ó,,,..n) dark brown
2 5YR 2/A lilftW� ( "(."'( J�;r� rt:rl,J, J, lito ... n) dark rt'(l1l1 ... h bruw 11 dark brown
,, 2.5YR 1.7 /1 :/¡. 11'. (re ld1,-h blu, ,) bro-.,.,msh black

5YR 8/1 ¡;¡ o ( l,9h1 gray) wbite pale pinlush beige

5YR 8/2 ¡;¡ o ( l,gh1 gray) µ1nk1"1 w111tL' pare p1nk1sh beige
5YR 8/3 ,!j¡ 14 (µole oronge) µmk pale orange
SYR 8/• � � ( pole oronge) pmk pale orange
5YR 7/1 ll)ll41Ji. (hghl bfown1sh grn 1) l,�ht l(r:t)' ptnk1�h beige
5YR 7/2 ll}lll',l'K (l1gh1 hfowm�h 9rw¡) ptnktsh urny p,n�tsh beige
5YR 7/3 t:.\•!ll (dull o,onge) pmk pmlush be,ge
5YR 71• 1· .,,11 (dull oronge) pmk dull orange
5YR 7/6 lt (orongo) r ed,Ji..J1 yellow dull onnge
5YR 7/8 � (oronge) r,-dd1.Ji ycllow hiht orange
5YR 6/1 NI [;}¡ ( b,ownish qroy) i.tray pmk1sh beige
5YR 6/2 [;}¡ NI (g,oyu.h lirown) pmk,�h gray pink,sh beige
5YR 6/J t: .i-\•ll ( dull o,on¡¡e) hght reddish hrown p,n)osh beige
5YR 6/A 1:..;.,•IB: (d111! ornnye) h¡¡ht reddish brown loght brown
5YR 6/6 lt (oronge) redd1sh yellow loght brown
5YR 6/8 ID. (oronge) redd,sh relluw strong orange
5YR 5/1
"' " /Ji. (bfown•sh g,oy) gray gray1sh brown
5YR 5/2 ¡;¡ (groy1sh brov.n) rt-dd1sh gray gray,sh brown
5YR 5/3 t: .;.,,;J¡¡g (dull redd,sh bro... n) rt-dd,sh bro"n gray,sh brown
5YR 5/A t:..,.L':.f..f.l lJull redd1sh brown) rL-ddish brov. n light brown
5YR 5/6 IY!;Jf.14 (b1,gh1 redd1sh brown) yell<1wish red light brown
5YR 5/8
5YR A/1 ,.
l!llW.1'
[;}¡
loright rodd1s"l b,own)
( brcwn1� grey)
yello�•ish red
dark gray
deep orange
grayish brown
5YR A/2 U:. 111 (groy1sh brov-,n) dark reddish way gray,sh brown
5YR •/3 t:-l•;Jf.14 (dull r�dd1sh brown) retldish brown gray1sh brown
5YR •I•
5YR A/6
t: .;:\•flf.111 (dull rodd"h b,ov.n)
jjf. Ul (1edd1sh bro;,o.n)
rt•dchs:h brown
yt:llüwi�h red
brown
brown
5YR •18 (•edd,sh hrov,n)

•
jjf. ) ell11\\ ,sh red
...
111 de•p brown
5YR 3/1 ( brown,sh block) very dark �ray datk gray,sh brown
5YR J/2 lflóf.14 (dar� redd1sh b,o.....n) d;irk redd,sh brown dark gray1sh brown
5YR 3/3 lf;,J,14 {dor� reddish brown} tfark reddh·h hrov.11 dark gray1sh brown
5YR 3/• ig;�;fl (do,k •edd,sh broM) dark re<id1'h hrtm n brown
5YR 3/6 liál<!II (dar• redd,d\ brow,,) tirown
(tlfl)\l'JIH'.� t,l'1c �)
5YR 2/1
·"' I� ,� . ..-k d,11k j!ray¡sh brown
Preface to the Second Edition

I wish to express our sincere oppreciotion to the mony

soil scientists who hove kindly given voluoble odvices ond
comments to the outhors directly ond indirectly since the First
Edition wos published.

We olso wish to thonk porticulorly Dr. C. E. Kellogg, Dr.

Roy W. Simonson ond other S. C. S. stoff, os well os Proíessor
Merlín G. Cline oí Cornell University Ior their commendotion
of the First Edition. Further, we ore very glod thot Proíessor
F.A. van Boren, Secretory-Generol oí the lnternotionol Society
of Soil Science, mode his review of the First Edition in the
Bulletin of the lnternotionol Society oí Soil Science to let our
publicotion widely known to the countries of the world.

July 2, 1970
Kozuyuki Kowoi,
Reseorch Counselor,
Reseorch Council for
Agriculture, Forestry
ond Fisheries

-2-
INTRODUCTION

Soil colors hove long been the best-known chorocteristic ol

soil. This is well understood in frnding thot designotion ol its
color nomas has afien been given to soils.
Although we frnd less importonce in the role of soil colors
in soil study, resulting from odvonced knowledge of orgonic
substonces in the soil, composition of the primory or secondory
minerols in the soll, or physicol ond chemicol onolyses of soil,
colors ore still one ol the indispensable chorocteristics of soil
for its clossifrcotion or composition study. This is especiolly
true when the soil profrle is studied in the freid or when
odequote physicol ond chemicol onolyses is not be ovoiloble.

Description of colors ot the time of soil survey wos left

entirely to the subjective judgement of the individuols who
corried out the survey ond hove not sufficient knowledge of
color. For this reoson, it wos olwoys the desire of soil
scientists thot every reseorcher cory o standard set of color
chips to oscertoin the proper soil colors of eoch soil profrle
by comporing them with the chip colors.
lf the color chips ore difl'erent from those corried by other
reseorchers usefulness is negativa. AII the color chips should
be prepored on occording to o precise standard.
We hove hod such standard color chips since eorly doys.
The frrst of its kind oppeored in the morket in 1942. lt wos
prepored by Forest Environment Reseorch Associotion under the
title of "Color Book of Forest Soils", Next followed "Standard
Soil Color Book" issued by the Ministry of Agricultura ond
Forestry in 1949. Both of these were mode occording to the
Ridgewoy's system. In the cose of the former, though the ronge
of the colors presented in the book is not extensiva, the
frnish of the chips is considerad excellent even todoy. On the
controry, the moke ol the lotter is not very good probobly
due to the unfovoroble conditions existi.ng in Jopan immediotely
alter the world wor 11.

-3-
 During the course of development of the lmprovcment Projcct
of Fcrtilizotion of Poddy Field, storted in 1952, o Color Book
wos used published by Jopan Color Reseorch lnstitute. When tho
Book wos not found ony more in the morkot, Standard Soil
Color Choris by Munsell system wos issued in 1957.
Aport from this, Dr. Yokoi mode "Bosic Soil Color Choris",
bosed on the somples collected during his survey ol low
productivity oreo. The standard set by these publicotions upon
introducing soil colors in the choris, wos olten referred to
during the preporotion of our current choris.
With the developmont of the soil survey project for forost
oreas, now soil color choris were required when the existing
Color Book of Forest Soils become out of print. In oddition,
o soil survey project os o port of the Notionol Lond Survey
wos lounched, ond the time gol ripe for preporing standard
soil color choris bosed on the sorne criterio.
The Munsell color system wos considered most suitoble for
thc purpose. ond ils principies were opplied to the choris.
As the soil survey project hoppened to be ropidly develop-
ing al thot time, the Reseorch Council of the Ministry ol
Agriculture ond Forestry wos requested to edil o standard soil
color book to be used in Ministry's soil surveys. Under these
circumstonces, new soil color chorts with common nomes of
soil colors with nototions, were plonned, bosed on the Munsell
Soil Color Choris, by odding odditionol colors. which hod
been found or ore likely to be found in the soils of Jopan.

Although every ottempt wos mode, to thc limit of printing

tcchnic, to present soil colors os closely os possible to those
which moy be found in the actual soils, the ronge of colors
turned out to be similor to those of the Munsell's choris.
As to the nomes ol soil colors, there is o slight difference
between Munsell's choris ond ours.
When preporing our choris, sorne color nomes were odoptod
in arder to express more precisely the actual soil colors in
Jopan.

-4-
 Thus, thc old cdition ol Stondord Soil Color Chori wos
prcporcd undcr tho supervision ol tho Roseorch Council ol the
Agriculturo, Forestry, ond Fisheries, ond lortunotoly hos goinod
public favor sinco il wos issued.
II hod been long lelt since tho time ol its publicotion thot
its covcr, binding. ground popor, ond quolity ol tho color
must be improved. Among other things, thc quolity control
problem ol color pointing orose os the choris went through
severo! printings.
Reccnl demond fo thoso choris from obrood has quickoncd
on urgont improvemonl in such delects menlioncd obove. 11 tho
choris oro to be widcly used in mony countrics, even o slight
difierenco in color tone moy causo o grave mistoke in soil
color descriplion in the world.

Forlunotcly. os o result of the odoption ol the Rcviscd

Munscll Systcm into the Joponese Industrial Stondord, preporo-
tion ol bcltcr color chips ond quolity control methods hove
boon greotly improvod of by tho Jopan Color Reseorch Instituto.
In pororell with this development, froqucncy of the oppco-
ronce of o soil color become possiblc to be enumerotod on
the bosis of the dolo from soil surveys widely corried out in
Jopan with the use ol the Stondord Soil Color Chori.
The current cdition is on indicotion thot the besl possiblc soil
color choris con be mode by introducing new knowledge in
chromotics, ond olso in odvonced soil survey methods.

-5-
lmprovement made in the curren! edition
Tho following improvoments ore mode os comporod with tho
original edition.
11 Eoch color chip has been inspected in occordonce with
the Joponese Industrial Standard (JISI, olong with most
rigid exominotion oí eoch lot.
21 Solvenl-lype ocrylic point, insteod oí waler-point as íor-
merly opplied, wos sproyed so thot slight stoins moy be
eosily wipod off.
31 There ore included col�r chips oí chromo 1 in every huo
which hod not been done in the íormer edition duo to
technicol difficulties. The chips oí chroma 1 al 2.5Y has
long been demonded.
41 Color chips oí chromo 3 were odded in the mejor hues.
51 Tho sizo oí tho chips was modo largor thon the ono in
the íormer edition.
61 As the ground paper, thick paper both sides oí which
oro oí ocromotic color, light gray IN 7 3/1 ore being
used.
71 Color nemes in both English ond Joponese ore modified.
In oddition, lists ore ollochod Ior comporison oí color
nemes oí soils in the United Stoles ond those oí Joponcse
Industrial Standard.
81 These nemes ore printed in the left page.
91 Binding is more substontiol thon oí the previous cdition.

-6-
DESCRIPTION METHOD OF SOIL COLORS

The Munsell system was originated by A. H. Munsell of the

United States in 1905 for systematic classifocation of colors.
lt is modifoed by Optical Society of Americe !OSA) in oc-
cordance with CIE system to make Revised Munsell System. In
Jopan, it has also been used as a system which can be op-
plied to color control, named as JIS Z 8721- 1964 IDescription
method of colors by three attributes.)
The standard color chips of JIS may correspond to a ruler
made to measure the color of an object, In the sorne way,
the soil color choris may be considered as a ruler with flner
groduation. 11 is howover, a tool to be used al the forst stago
of color description, More preciso moasuromont must be modo
by the use of instrument like spectrographic colorimetry, by
JIS Z 8722-1959 IMeasuremcnt mothod of colors in objects.)

The present edition is a solvent-type color charts prepared

through visual reproduction, intended to be the standard bosed
on JIS.
The color chips were selected aftcr careful study of the
color range necessary for soil color description. Tho choris are
clossifoed mainly by hue, being arranged verticolly occording
to value, ond horizontally according to chroma. The only
exception are the colors ronging from green to purple within
the range of which there are no soil colors of high chroma :
the colors covering many hues are presentad in one pago.

Description method of colors by three ottributes

According to this description method, all colors can be
meosured by three attributes of color : hue which rcprcsents
the dominan! spectral like red, ycllow, green, blue, etc .• volue
which represents the relative lightness of color, and chromo
which represents the relativo purity or strength oí the spectrol
color.
In the cose of huc. five mejor colors. R. Y, G, B. P, and

-7-
the respective complement colors, YR. GY. BG, PB. RP, ore
orronged on o loop. ond eoch of the colors is divided by
decimal system. from O to 1 O. Thus the whole hues ore
divided into one hundred between R (red) ond RP (red purple).
Eoch hue of o color is noted os. for instonce. 1 R or 2.5R. !Fig. 2)
The nototion of volue consists of numbers from O for ob-
solute white, with neutral which has no depth in color. os the
criterio. The colors between the O ond the 1 O ore so orronged
thot they become succesively lighter by visuolly equol steps.
ond expressed os 1 O/. 9/, ond so on. In cose of colors other
thon neutral colors, the volue is noted using !he volue nototion
of neutral gray which has the visuolly sorne lightness. (fig. 3)
Chromo of eoch color groduolly increoses with the increose
of its vividness. When the hue ond volue ore systemoticolly
orronged, the chromo increoses from O neutral gray to 1, 2,
3, ... by equol steps, ond is noted os /1. /2, /3 .... (fig. 3)
In writing the obove notation of a color, the order is hue,
volue. ond chromo, with o virgule / between the two numbers
for volue ond chromo. For instonce, o color of 7 .5R in hue.
6/ in value, ond /4 in chrorno. !he nototion is 7.5R 6/4.
The color nototion by the use of three attributes, being o
method in which o color is expressed os a dot in the color
spoce, moy be referred os three dimentional method, often
called color solid. !Fig. 1 J
WHITE

Fig. 1 color solid BLACX

-8-
 ---
---
---// �
º� //
// l's

Fig. 2 oortition oí hue

-•
.
PB y

,,, 1 ¡ ... 1

.. ..
1 1

...
..,, "
.
7 ¡,,.¡

"'º .' ..
1• 1
..
11
l
"
l u

'
-

Fig. 3 portition of voluc ond chroma

-9-
NAME OF SOIL COLOR

Names of soil color are written in the corresponding portian

of the left page to the one on which color chips are affixed.
Those color names printed in gray are listed as to suit the
cases in describing soils of Jopan, and do not always cor-
respond to the names in Munsell's Soil Color Choris.

Although they are fairly limited in color range, soil colors

vary so much that only using the ordinary color names does
not serve far expressing delicate difference in shades. Munsell
color notation has made accurate and systematic representation
of color possible. lt may sometimes be strange far those who
do not hove the soil color choris, to describe soil color by
using mere notation. In addition, soil color is an importan!
criterion in soil classification, and often the name of soil is
token from its color. Far these reasons, the appropriate name
of soíl color must always be added to the Munsell notation; far
example, as "dork reddish brown (5YR 3/41". This way of color
representation may ovoid careless mistake in describing soil
colors.

Brown color is most abundantly found in soil not only of

Jopan but also of other parts of the world. The soils in the
lower layer in the upland or forest oreas of Jopan are mostly
brown. Brown Forest Soil is one example of the color name
adopted to a great soil group. Even when the soil does not
belong to this group, soil color in the lower layer is related
to "brown" in most cases. The surface color is merely either
more darkish or faded than the color in the lower layer.

Statistical figures collccted from many soil samples ano data

indicate a fact that the soil colors in the lower layer are
most heavily distirbuted in the color rangc centering around
7.SYR 4/4-6 or lOYR 4/4-6. This is the basis on which the
midd!e part of these color range was token as the central
idea of brown color. lt well accords with the Brown in
Munsell's color choris. The soil color in the lower part of

-10-
Konto loom (Ando soill moy be o good cxomplc of brown.
With brown os the standard, the color which is more red-
dish (5YR, 2.5YRJ is nomed "reddish brown", ond thoso in which
yellow is moro dominont or which ore lighter thon the brown
ore nomcd "ycllowish brown". lf the volue rs higher thon thc
one of brown, the color is "bright brown", 11 it is slightly lowcr
in chromo, it is colled "dull brown", thc color with lowcr chromo
is "gray brown", thc onc with lowcr volue is "dork brown", ond
íhe one with oven lower volue is colled "blockish brown" in the
currcnt odition.
In o soil color which is generolly colled "red", color is
moro yellowish thon the ordinory red. Also in the cose ol
Joponese soil on the whole, the colors ore gonorolly so low
in volue ond dorkish thot it seems proper to give them nemes
ol comporotively brighter colors. even though thoy look dorker
to ordinory eye. The brown itself in soil is olso foirly low in

volue when compored with the general brown color.

As thc result ol close exominotion ol thc soíl color nomos
convontionolly odopted, o few corrections wcrc mode in thc
color nome ond the ronge in the current ednon.
Colors prosented in the Choris includc those ol o loirly
wide ronge. Therefore. in wrrtinq the actual soil color, sorne
modif1crs liko "dork" or "light' moy serve to more occurote
description ol the color. Even the colors which hove the sorne
Munsell nototion occording to color chip moy be sometimos
seemingly rother different when observcd in the soil profile in
the f1eld. In these coses, it is desiroble to describe the
chorocteristics of the profilo more precisely by using such
expressions os "lighter thon the color ol the upper loyer" or
"reddish color thon in the lower loyer."
For the convenience of the users. o (ist of Joponcse soil
color nemes. Munsell's color nemes ond Systemotic Color Nomos
to the corrcsponding Munsell nototion is ottoched for comporison.

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HOW TO USE THE SOIL COLOR CHARTS

As the first step, thorough study of eoch poge is necessory

to understond the chonges of o color which groduolly tokc
place toword three directions. lt must be continued until thc
meonings of hue, volue, ond chromo ore clcorly understood.
Ability to differentiote eoch of the three color ottributes in-
dependently is most desiroble. Further, the following points
must olwoys be kept in mind.
1. lt is vitolly importont for soil color description to
compare the soil somple with the color chips by kccping thc
somple os closely os possible to the chips being cÓmporcd
under the sorne omount of light.
Therefore, observotion must be mode under the well-lighted
condition. In the room, it is ideal for the both of the somple
ond the color chips to be pul beside o window through which
noturol light comes into the room ond light the moteriols from
sidewoys of 45 degrees. Under dork forest or under conopy
of tree bronches which ollows light beom coming down in
lines must be ovoided. Strong direct roys of the sun is olso
undesiroble.
2. Meosurement of soil color is mode on the surfoce of
the soil clod newly disposed to the oir, or on the ílot surfoce
of the soil somple finely crushed ond lightly pressed with
f1ngers, unless otherwise instructed. In pressing the somple, the
f1nger tips must olwoys be cleon.
3. Soil somple is put on o f1ngcrtip or o piece of filler
poper ond held closely to color chips being comporcd.
Putting the somple on o soil color meosuremcnt piole is the
most convenient.
4. The color of moist soil ond thot of dry soil in the sorne
somple must be compored. In the cose of moist soil, its color
must be- reod os soon os visible water film hove disoppeorcd
alter moistening the somple. In the lottcr cose, oir-dried
somple is used.

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 5. For occurocy in color meosurement, block mosk in cose
somple is dork in color, ond white mosk in cose somple is
light in color, must be used by putting the mosk oround the
color chip being compored.
6. There is seldom instonccs when the color oí the somple
is perfectly motched by ony color in the chori. The color oí
the somple should be meosured by f1nding the chip whose
color is the closest match. Then the difference in colors oí
the somple ond the chip must be cleorly described.
A soil color which lies midwoy between 2.5Y ond 5Y, it is
notcd os 3.75Y. lf o color lies midwoy between 3 ond 4 in
volue its volue is 3.5. if between 2 ond 3 in chromo, the
chromo is 2.5, il between 4 ond 6, it is 5. Decimols ore
olwoys used os in the obove exomple ond never froctions.
7. When the ch romo of the soil color is less thon 1, o
neutral color scole supplied with the Choris must be used lor
meosurement.
8. When the color oí the somple is not unilorm, both the
dominont color occupying lorger oreo in the soil ond the
color oí the other smoller oreo should be described. In the
cose of the soil with il the mottlings ore vcry smoll ond occupy
comporotively smoll oreo, it is preferoble to use only the nomc
oí soil color for description of mottles becouse oí the
difficulties in def1ning the color.
9. In the cose of sondy soils, the color is oíten voriegoted.
The color of sond groins itself is no! so importan! for color
description, but speciol notice should be token of the color
of cooting which ore covering the groins.
1 O. When !he somple is low in chromo ond of groyish
color, coreful observotion must be mode to decide whether
its hue is closer to YR or G or to B. lt is described os
N 7/ (YRJ, for instonce.
11. Similorly, when the somple is low volue, effort mus! be
mode to discover slightly reddish color or bluish color.
12. Difference between the color of moisl soil ond thot of

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the dry one in the sorne somple is often within the rango of
2.5 in hue, thot is within the sorne poge of the choris. Moist
soil is rorely higher in volue thon dry soil. The chromo of
moist soil is generolly sorne or o little higher by one step ot
the most when compored with dry soil of the sorne somple.
13. The Soil Color Choris should not be exposod directly
to the sun for o long time unless necessory.
14. When the color chips become dirty, they moy be
cleoned by wiping off the dirt lightly with cleon wet cloth. In
this cose ony type of solvent like thinner should never be
used.
15. An extra color chip of 7 .5YR 8/8 is encloscd in tho
bog. Once in every yeor, the extra chip ond thc corrcspond-
ing chip in the Choris must be compored for the purpose of
inspeclion.
16. Color chips with (*) in the left poge hove rothcr
wider ollowonce thon others. Volue 1.7/ meons between 2/
ond 1.5/.

Mosotodo Oyomo
Hideo T okehoro

Attochmenls (in bock cover)

l. Gray Scole 18/, 7 /, 6/, 5/, 4/, 3/, 2/, 1.5/ l
2. White mosk
3. BI ock mosk
4. check color chip 17.5YR 8/81

Color of Cover : Dork reddish brown (5YR 3.3/2.51

Color of Base : groyish white ( N 7.3/ 1

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