Where does “japan” come from?

Japan derives from Dutch Japan, from Portuguese Japão, from Chinese 日本 (rìběn), ultimately from Min Nan 日本.

japan (English): A hard black enamel varnish containing asphalt;...

Definitions

  1. A hard black enamel varnish containing asphalt;...

Ancestry of “japan”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishJapanA hard black enamel varnish containing asphalt
2DutchJapan
3MalayJepangJapanese
4Hokkien日本Japan; Japanese; Japan
5Middle Chinese日本Land of the Rising Sun
Every word from Middle Chinese 日本
japan — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer