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Glite Dictionary
🎨 European-influenced 🖼️ A Japanese artwork 🧑‍🦱 A foreigner
namban

namban

1 9.9
Japanese art and objects that show early European influence
  • adjective
  • /næmˈbɑn/
  • Specialized
: namban
  • Collectors value namban screens for their unique blend of Japanese and Western artistic elements.

Examples

  • The exhibition featured several namban paintings showing European ships arriving in Japan.

  • The namban influence is evident in the depiction of foreign figures and exotic objects.

  • The museum features a stunning collection of namban art.

  • Many namban pieces reflect the fusion of Japanese and European styles.

  • The exhibition featured several namban paintings that illustrate the cross-cultural exchange between Japan and Europe.

  • Collectors value namban screens for their intricate designs and rich history reflecting both Japanese and Western influences.

  • Many namban artworks showcase the fusion of Japanese aesthetics with European artistic techniques from the 16th century.

Surface Forms

namban positive

Etymology

Namban comes from Japanese parts nan 'south' and ban 'barbarian'; in the 1500s and 1600s this name was used for Europeans who arrived by sea. So namban as an adjective describes art or objects that show the meeting of Japanese and European styles from that time.