Type of European lacquerwork imitating Japanese urushi
For lacquerwork from Japan, see Japanese lacquerware.
Georgian japanned tin tea tray—severely worn—black lacquer and gilt made in Birmingham, UK
Japanning is a type of finish that originated as a European imitation of East Asian lacquerwork. It was first used on furniture, but was later much used on small items in metal. The word originated in the 17th century. American work, with the exception of the carriage and early automobile industries, is more often called toleware.[1]
It is distinct from true East Asian lacquer, which is made by coating objects with a preparation based on the dried sap of the Toxicodendron vernicifluum tree, which was not available in Europe.
Japanning is most often a heavy black "lacquer", almost like enamel paint. Black is common and japanning is often assumed to be synonymous with black japanning. The European technique uses varnishes that have a resin base, similar to shellac, applied in heat-dried layers which are then polished, to give a smooth glossy finish. It can also come in reds, greens and blues.
Originating in India, China and Japan as a decorative coating for pottery, authentic East Asian lacquered ware made its way into Europe by the 17th century. In the late 17th century, high European demand (along with rumors that East Asian manufacturers reserved their higher-quality work for their domestic markets) led to the production of imitation pieces starting in Italy. Its traditional form used gold designs and pictorials to contrast with the black base colour.
A japanned pocket watch from the 18th century
^"A Study of the Methods and Operations of Japanning Practice". Automotive Industries (42): 669. 11 Mar 1920.
not available in Europe. Japanning is most often a heavy black "lacquer", almost like enamel paint. Black is common and japanning is often assumed to be...
Japan is an island country in East Asia. It is in the northwest Pacific Ocean and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, extending from the Sea...
Pontypool japan is a name given to the process of japanning with the use of an oil varnish and heat, which is credited to Thomas Allgood of Pontypool...
became known as japanning, involves applying several coats of varnish which are each heat-dried and polished. In the 18th century, japanning gained a large...
Japanese (日本語, Nihongo, [ɲihoŋɡo] ) is the principal language of the Japonic language family spoken by the Japanese people. It has around 120 million...
Anime (Japanese: アニメ, IPA: [aꜜɲime] ) is hand-drawn and computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside Japan and in English, anime refers...
The Empire of Japan, also referred to as the Japanese Empire, Imperial Japan, or simply Japan, was the Japanese nation-state that existed from the Meiji...
defeat, Germany, Austria, Japan and Korea were occupied, and war crime tribunals were conducted against German and Japanese leaders. The causes of the...
originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long history in earlier Japanese art. The...
in the West. Used as a verb, japan means "to finish in japan black". Thus japanning and japanned are terms describing the process and its products. Its...
The surrender of the Empire of Japan in World War II was announced by Emperor Hirohito on 15 August and formally signed on 2 September 1945, ending the...
Easy Rules for the Ladies Japanning, Bernard Lens, 1751, London, Ludgate Hall The Ladies Amusement or, Whole Art of Japanning Made Easy, Robert Sayer,...
Officially, among Japanese names there are 291,129 different Japanese surnames (姓, sei), as determined by their kanji, although many of these are pronounced...
writers who are Japanese, or are famous for having written in the Japanese language. Writers are listed by the native order of Japanese names, family name...
Tokyo (/ˈtoʊkioʊ/; Japanese: 東京, Tōkyō, [toːkʲoː] ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis (東京都, Tōkyō-to), is the capital city of Japan and one of the most...
spoken mainly in JapanJapanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture Japanese diaspora, Japanese emigrants and...
This is a list of current and defunct automobile manufacturers of Japan. Ales (see Otomo) Asahi (1937–c.1939) Aspark (2014–present) Atsuta (1930s) Autobacs...
represents Japan in men's international football. It is controlled by the Japan Football Association (JFA), the governing body for football in Japan. Until...
Japan Standard Time (日本標準時, Nihon Hyōjunji, JST), or Japan Central Standard Time (中央標準時, Chūō Hyōjunji, JCST), is the standard time zone in Japan, 9 hours...
this and related Asian tree species, as opposed to European "lacquer" or Japanning made from other materials. Urushiol is also the oil found in poison ivy...
Municipalities of Japan List of villages in Japan List of cities in JapanJapanese addressing system "Large City System of Japan"; graphic shows towns...
in Japan. Cultural Properties of Japan National Treasures of Japan Cultural Landscapes of Japan National parks of Japan Kashimagari Tunnel "Japan". UNESCO...
Second Sino-Japanese War, and the Soviet–Japanese War in the last few months of the war. The Second Sino-Japanese War between the Empire of Japan and the...
Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) was the principal ground force of the Empire of Japan. Forming one of the military branches of the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces...
The first human inhabitants of the Japanese archipelago have been traced to the Paleolithic, around 38–39,000 years ago. The Jōmon period, named after...
United States forcibly relocated and incarcerated about 120,000 people of Japanese descent in ten concentration camps operated by the War Relocation Authority...
The yen (Japanese: 円, symbol: ¥; code: JPY) is the official currency of Japan. It is the third-most traded currency in the foreign exchange market, after...
Global Information
