Introduction

The introduction discusses how humans categorize and perceive color across cultures. The author shares personal experiences that sparked her interest in this subject, such as her father's reaction to brightly colored fish in Okinawa and being surprised by colorful American cakes as a teenager living in New York. These examples show how one's environment and upbringing influence expectations of color. The chapter discusses universal vs. specific color categorization theories and notions that color perception can change based on the living environment, as evidenced by the stylistic changes in van Gogh's painting after he moved to France. Research on Japanese macaques suggests color vision becomes fixed after development. The author posits that while humans share universal color vision, categorization diversifies across environments and cultures. The monograph will explore the role of culture and education in shaping color systems, examining their universality and diversity.