a. and sb. [f. JAPAN sb. + -ESQUE.]
A. adj. Japanese in style or manner.
1883. G. Allen, in Colin Clout’s Cal., 36. Delicate pink-white blossom, standing out in true Japanesque relief.
1894. Westm. Gaz., 27 July, 3/2. Like one of those patiently-wrought pieces of cloisonné-work with which a Japanesque age has made us all familiar.
B. sb. A design or ornament in Japanese style.
1884. Price List, Tapestry Curtains. Designs, Early English, Japanesques, Persian, &c., with suitable dados.
1898. Ross, in B. Jonson’s Volpone, p. xl. He began … his so-called Japanesques long before seeing any real Japanese art.
Hence Japanesquely adv., in a japanesque way. Japanesquery, japanesque tone or spirit.
1892. Black & White, 6 Aug., 157/1. That ‘Flower watching’ is Japanesquely pretty.
1895. G. Allen, in Westm. Gaz., 21 June, 3/2. Its Japanesquery is delightful.
