japan

　　I sometimes "read" my dictionaries for fun and often find something new that I have never even thought of. Today's topic, "japan," is also one of them. The initial letter of the topic, j, is small and you'll know that I'm not going to write about Japan. To tell the truth, I didn't know the word "japan" until recent times.
　　This is a name for tableware on which a kind of lacquer called "urushi" is applied. Some researchers have discovered that this kind of tableware was used at least 3000 years ago in Japan. Since 17th century, it began to be exported. Because the tableware was beautiful, it might be called japan after the name of the nation of production. This engaged my interest. I looked for another example and found that ceramic wares are also called china. It must be from the name of the nation, China, which has produced lots of pottery.
　　Frankfurter from Frankfurt, champagne from Champagne province, Hamburger steak from Hamburg, bourbon from Bourbon in Kentucky, interesting! To my surprise, "japan" has the role of a verb.
　　 Additionally, I found several Japanese words from other countries. Pumpkins are called Kabocha in Japan. It is said that the Portuguese brought them in as a product of Cambodia. Kabocha was apparently named from Cambodia.
　　Dictionaries make my imaginary skills higher and it's fun.