Origins
The term 'Japanware' is used to describe objects which have been finished and decorated in a particular way. A 'Japan' finish can be created on lots of different materials. 'Japanning' means the finished, protective/decorative surface and not the article itself.
In the 6th century, the Chinese developed a way of applying different coloured varnishes onto items of furniture. Part of the process involved baking the items so that the layers of varnish or lacquer became much harder than ordinary painted surfaces. This lacquering process usually involved decorating the object with designs.
The designs were often extremely beautiful. There were floral designs, pictures of castles and temples and attractive landscapes, usually using black as a ground colour with gold decoration. The craftspeople that produced these designs used paint as well as mother of pearl and precious metals, including gold dust. Once the designs were finished, they were painted over with many layers of varnish. This was then baked to protect the decorations as well as the objects themselves. Even items made out of papier-mache could stand up to every day use when given such a finish.
The Japanese soon learnt to copy the process and began to produce items of furniture, which were equally elegant and beautiful.