Colour has always been a powerful tool for communication and expression - a philosophy reflected in Wada Sanzo's influential book - A Dictionary of Color Combinations. The publication, which has recently found a new audience, documents hundreds of palettes inspired by traditional Japanese aesthetics and Western influence. The book also proved a useful reference when considering which tokyobike colours (sand brown and beige red) would return to the fold this year.

An original tokyobike colouway, sand brown featured amongst the first bikes launched nearly 25 years ago.

The beige red colour was first introduced as part of a collaboration with Brooks England to help them celebrate their 150th anniversary.