Japan

Definitions

1. A country and archipelago of East Asia. Capital and largest city: Tokyo.
2. A hard black enamel varnish containing asphalt.
   countable, uncountable
3. Lacquerware.
   countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“Vivian: If you set⟳ a picture by Hokusai, or Hokkei, or any of the great native painters, beside a real Japanese gentleman or lady, you will see⟳ that there is not the slightest resemblance between them. The actual people who live⟳ in Japan are not unlike the general run⟳ of English people; that is to say⟳, they are extremely commonplace, and have⟳ nothing curious or extraordinary about them. In fact the whole of Japan is a pure invention. There is no such country, there are no such people... if you desire to see⟳ a Japanese effect, you will not behave like⟳ a tourist and go to Tokio. On the contrary, you will stay⟳ at home and steep yourself in the work⟳ of certain Japanese artists, and then, when you have⟳ absorbed the spirit of their style, and caught their imaginative manner of vision, you will go some afternoon and sit⟳ in the Park⟳ or stroll down Piccadilly, and if you cannot see⟳ an absolutely Japanese effect there, you will not see⟳ it anywhere.”

“Japan’s very interesting. Some people think⟳ it copies things. I don’t think⟳ that anymore. I think⟳ what they do is reinvent things. They will get⟳ something that’s already been invented and study⟳ it until they thoroughly understand⟳ it. In some cases, they understand⟳ it better than the original inventor... That strategy works only when what they’re working with isn’t changing very much—the stereo industry and the automobile industry are two examples. When the target⟳ is moving quickly, they find⟳ it very difficult...”

“Nolan: You do know⟳ Japan have⟳ expressed concern⟳? Douglas: What, the whole country? Nolan: No, not the whole... Mr Yamamoto. Douglas: He's important, isn't he? Nolan: He's the major shareholder.”

“In particular, Kumamoto prefecture in southwestern Japan is quickly becoming a hotbed for tech investment from companies including TSMC and Fujifilm Holdings Corp (FUJIF).”

“My own⟳ apartment, however, I was allowed to enter⟳; and very pretty, I must say⟳, it is. It is hung with Indian-silk, where the brightest of birds, and the gayest of flowers, disport themselves on a white ground. The screens and dressing-table are of black japan, while the mirror is set⟳ in exquisite silver filigree work⟳, of which material are also the boxes of my toilette.”

CEFR level