The present invention relates to composite
tungsten oxide particles containing a composite
tungsten oxide represented by the general formula MxWyOz (wherein M element is one or more elements selected from the group consisting of
alkali metal elements,
alkaline earth metal elements,
rare earth elements, Mg, Zr, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Cd, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, Pb, Sb, B, F, P, S, Se, Br, Te, Ti, Nb, V, Mo, Ta, Re, Be, Hf, Os, Bi, and I, 0.20 < = x / y < = 0.37, 2.2 < = z / y < = 3.3), and having a
hexagonal crystal system, in which when observed in STEM-HAADF 0.01% to 10% inclusive of the Z contrast of W atoms is reduced to 95% or less of the average value.