'Nipponesque' originates from English coinage combining 'Nippon' (the Japanese name for Japan) with the suffix '-esque', borrowed from French (from Italian '-esco'), where the suffix meant 'in the style of'.

'-esque' entered English via French and Italian, forming adjectives such as 'picturesque' and 'Romanesque'; 'Nipponesque' was formed analogously in modern English by attaching this suffix to 'Nippon'.

Initially it meant 'in the style of Nippon/Japan'; this sense — 'having a Japanese style or quality' — is retained in modern usage.