any of various hard, durable, black varnishes, originally from Japan, for coating wood, metal, or other surfaces.
work varnished and figured in the Japanese manner.
Japans, a variety of decorative motifs or patterns derived from Asian sources, used on English porcelain of the 18th and 19th centuries.
to varnish with japan; lacquer.
to coat with any material that gives a hard, black gloss.
Japanese Nihon, Nippon. a constitutional monarchy on a chain of islands off the eastern coast of Asia: main islands are Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. 141,529 sq. mi. (366,560 sq. km). Tokyo.
Sea of Japan, a marginal sea bounded by North Korea, the Far Eastern mainland of Russia, the Russian island Sakhalin, Japan, and South Korea: largely enclosed from the Pacific Ocean and seldom affected by tides.
a glossy durable black lacquer originally from the Orient, used on wood, metal, etc
work decorated and varnished in the Japanese manner
a liquid used as a paint drier
Although a world leader in shipbuilding, electronics, and automobile manufacture, Japan's economy suffered a severe slump during the 1990s.
Called the “Land of the Rising Sun,” Japan is symbolized by a red sun on a white background.
Japan's ports were first opened to Western traders in the sixteenth century but were closed in the seventeenth century. Japan remained in virtual isolation until the 1850s, when an American naval officer, Matthew C. Perry, persuaded the government to reopen trade with the West.
Another symbol (see also symbol) of Japan is Fujiyama, also called Mount Fuji, a volcano whose symmetrical snow-capped peak has been the object of countless pilgrimages, poems, and paintings. It has not erupted since 1707.
Suffering from overcrowding, lack of natural resources, and the influence of powerful military factions, Japan pursued an aggressive policy of expansion in China during the 1930s, ultimately resulting in a military alliance with Germany and Italy to form the Axis powers in World War II. (See also Hiroshima (see also Hiroshima), Pearl Harbor, and Douglas MacArthur.)
Imperial Japan was organized on a feudal system (see feudalism), characterized by the samurai (the warrior class, which eventually became landed gentry) and the shogun (the hereditary administrative leader). The emperor, believed to be divine, was the ceremonial leader. Japan is a constitutional monarchy today.
First recorded in 1605–15; special use of Japan
First recorded in 1570–80 as Giapan; from Malay Jăpung, Japang, from Middle Chinese; see origin at Nippon ( def. )
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Shame on anyone who shall try to shame them for that and deny them basic rights. tpng813 Just like how japan denies its massive massacres across china.
From Time ● Aug. 13, 2013
They are usually applied to metal work by means of an oil size or japan varnish.
The repast on the table consisted of a can or large black-jack of small beer, and a japan bread-basket, full of sea-biscuit.
From Frank Mildmay Or, the Naval Officer by Marryat, Frederick
One-half pint japan added to gallon of paint.
From Paint Technology and Tests by Gardner, Henry A.
They are japan to Japan, Sweet-meets to Sweet-meats, sollicit to solicit, and hugy to hugely.
Ipswich Town have signed Japan forward Daizen Maeda from Celtic on a three-year contract.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
That investigation into overcapacity concerns was announced in March and is targeting 16 economies, including major trading partners like the European Union, China, Mexico, Japan and India.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
SoftBank Group 9984 -6.76%decrease; red down pointing triangle drops 5.2%, Kioxia Holdings 285A -3.98%decrease; red down pointing triangle is 3.5% lower and Japan Airlines is down 3.3%.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Other fossils found in the same formation include elephants and crocodiles, animals that are no longer native to Japan.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 24, 2026
He told them about their adventures to Mexico, Japan, and Germany.
From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple
“The hype started in Japan. In Japan there are even cafés where you have contact with capybaras. And the internet helped, and the public is always curious. They want to know about the species.”
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
“Go to Japan. By the time you get there, probably have a day down. Then be fine by the day before the game.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2025
"Even if it's more of self-preservation than human rights for sponsors, this is a turning point for the MeToo movement in Japan. It's up to us how big we make it," she told the BBC.
From BBC ● Feb. 23, 2025
“I am here to reaffirm America’s unwavering commitment to Japan. This includes extended deterrence and provided by the full range of U.S. conventional and nuclear capabilities,” Austin said.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 1, 2023
“I eat these foods because they remind me of Japan. And my grandfather.”
From "Fish in a Tree" by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
His sponges were the ordinary reef sponges and these he would rinse in an old japanned basin, changing the water in the basin only when it became too bloody to return the sponges relatively clean.
From Time Magazine Archive
He lighted the shank of candle in the japanned candlestick and regarded the bed—as spineless as a hammock and covered with a dirty patchwork quilt, the cotton batting spilling from the edges.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
A light blue coat buttoned tightly over his breast, and a pair of close-fitting trousers strapped over his japanned leather boots, completed his remarkable ensemble.
From Gabriel Conroy by Harte, Bert
The base and pillar are in one piece, neatly japanned black.
From Microscopes and Accessory Apparatus Catalogue No. 40 by Leitz, Ernst
This appears from Swift's endorsement of it—"Lady Worsley, with a present of a writing-box japanned by herself."
Pigments suitable for japanning with natural lacquer, 45. —— black, 46. —— blue, 46. —— green, 46. —— red, 46. —— white, 45. —— yellow, 46.
From Handbook on Japanning: 2nd Edition For Ironware, Tinware, Wood, Etc. With Sections on Tinplating and Galvanizing by Brown, William N.
When white or other light tones are used for japanning they are mixed with japanners' varnish, and these require more careful heating in the oven or stove than darker tints or brown or black.
From Handbook on Japanning: 2nd Edition For Ironware, Tinware, Wood, Etc. With Sections on Tinplating and Galvanizing by Brown, William N.
Pianos, cradles, arm-chairs, indeed complete drawing-room suites, cornices, door-plates, and a variety of ornaments are displayed, in addition to the tea-trays and tea-chests in which the art of japanning first became known to us.
From Rides on Railways by Sidney, Samuel
With these you may match almost any colour in general use in japanning.
From Young's Demonstrative Translation of Scientific Secrets by Young, Daniel
Varnishing is the last and the finishing process in japanning.
From Handbook on Japanning: 2nd Edition For Ironware, Tinware, Wood, Etc. With Sections on Tinplating and Galvanizing by Brown, William N.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
