App Profile: Nippon Colors

Nippon Colors is a carefully curated collection of traditional Japanese colors that have been used across centuries in literature, kimono textiles, painting, and a wide range of traditional crafts. These colors reflect the aesthetic sensitivity and seasonal awareness deeply embedded in Japanese culture.

Many of the color names are derived from the natural world—plants, flowers, minerals, and animals—whose tones or symbolic meanings inspired their use. Some hues and dyeing techniques can be traced as far back as the Asuka and Heian periods, while others were refined or introduced during the Edo and Meiji periods with the rise of synthetic dyes.

Due to the long and diverse history of these color traditions, slight variations in hue and naming may exist across eras and regions. A number of the names also have roots in classical Chinese culture, whose sophisticated hierarchical color system influenced Japan’s own aesthetic developments.

In addition to exploring color history, Nippon Colors now includes Saizō, a creative atelier feature powered by AI. Saizō allows you to transform your personal photos into Japanese-style digital artworks using only authentic traditional colors. Each image is securely processed, with all original and generated data deleted after the generation session ends.

Note:
■ Swipe left or right to switch colors.
■ Double tap to add a color to the Palette.
■ Swipe up or long press on the main screen to access the main menu, where you can explore all Nippon Colors, manage your Palettes, and enter the Color Atelier - Saizō.