Japan tallow

Based on the (more common) name Japan wax, this term was coined because the substance is not actually a wax.

Japan tallow (countable and uncountable, plural Japan tallows)

1. Synonym of Japan wax.
   • 1910, Interstate Druggist - Volume 44, page 150:

     Japan tallow and beeswax were mixed in various proportions and the melting points, solidifying points and densities of the mixtures observed.

   • 1921, Bulletin of the Imperial Institute - Volume 19, page 520:

     France imports annually from Japan considerable quantities of Japan tallow, derived from the fruits of Rhus succedanea.

   • 1992, Tadashi Inumaru, Mitsukuni Yoshida, The Traditional Crafts of Japan: Wood and bamboo:

     In place of traditional methods in which materials such as gesso, yellow ocher, powdered earth, liquid glue, and Japan tallow were used to obtain a gloss, and transparent lacquer was rubbed into the wood to protect it, materials such as artificially produced varoids and lacquer came into widespread use.