: of, relating to, or originating in Japan : of a kind or style characteristic of Japanese workmanship
1
a
: any of several varnishes yielding a hard brilliant finish
b
: a hard dark coating containing asphalt and a drier that is used especially on metal and fixed by heating
called also japan black
2
: work (such as lacquerware) finished and decorated in the Japanese manner
japanned; japanning
japanner
noun
Cite this Entry
“Japan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/japan. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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