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Muryo-Annai Jyo (Kanon Iwata)
Representations of Different Colors
INTRODUCTION
Colors are also essential indexical signs and play an important role in signboards since they contribute to create cultural meanings and certain concepts of Muryo-Annai Jyo. Caivano (1998) suggests that
Color is considered as a sign that may substitute other things. Here, the relations between colors and what they can represent, the codes and associations established through colors, and the way color meanings change according to the context of appearance and in relation to human factors such as culture and age are explored.
This page will decode the use of different colors and the meanings each color creates.
Colorful Neon lights
Neon lights indicates the night life district like Kabuki-Cho, Hong Kong, Los Vegas, and others. Muryo-Annai Jyo located in the central road of Kabuki-Cho also uses neon lights for their signboards. Hang Kwok (2019) notes that
Architecture becomes a medium of communication through neon signs, as the images, graphics, and text on the signs convey particular messages, present the contents of buildings and human activities, and also exist as a type of displaying site for visual language in the city and the street.
Therefore, the use of colorful neon lights contributes to construct the flashy cityscape and tells us Kabuki-Cho is one of the most unique night life city in the world.
Red and Yellow
Most common colors used by Muryo-Annai Jyo is red and yellow. Caivano (1998) mentions that “yellow is symbol of a warning and be careful, while red symbolizes a danger and stop”. As these colors are used for traffic lights and red/yellow cards in sports, many people recognize the combination of red and yellow means something danger and risky. Also, since there are countless incidents by illegal activities in Kabuki-Cho, this city can be seen as dangerous place. However, do these signboards actually represent danger of Kabuki-Cho?
If you look at Kabuki-Cho Ichibangai arch, the color is red. Moreover, there are many signboards using red neon light in Kabuki-Cho, so most people believe Kabuki-Cho is the red light district. Hence, red and yellow here represent the distinctiveness of Kabuki-Cho and help create its red light district.
Pink
Pink is also used for signboards of some Muryo-Annai Jyo. This color represents femininity and creates cuteness and softness. For example, this Muryo-Annai Jyo called Angel has cute concept. Pink is used for the name of Muryo-Annai Jyo and the background color of each signboard here.
White
White represents the purity and innocence. This Muryo-Annai Jyo called Pyuaraba (ぴゅあらば）is loacted in the central road of Kabuki-Cho, and use white for its signboard. As the word of “Pure” is used in the name of Muryo-Annai Jyo, this Annai-Jyo try to create purity through both textual and visual signs.
These pink and white creates positive impression such as cute and pure, and this construct comfortableness and softness. However, as there are some illegal Muryo-Annai Jyo in Kabuki-Cho, they try to hide illegal or dangerous side of Muryo-Annai Jyo by using these colors.
Conclusion
Depending on each color, created meanings are different. As many other signboards in Kabuki-Cho use neon lights, Muryo-Annai Jyo also use neon lights for their signboards. The use of neon lights leads to constructing the flashy cityscape of Kabuki-Cho and tells us signboards of Kabuki-Cho is totally different from signboards in other cities. In addition, the most common colors used in Muryo-Annai Jyo’s signboards are red and yellow, and these colors represent the red light district of Kabuki-Cho. Lastly, the use of pink and white gives people cute and pure impressions, while they make their dark sides such as illegal activities invisible by using these colors.