Historically, both Japan, China and even Shanghai had uses as verbs or nouns other than their original meanings:
Japan. verb ( japans, japanning , japanned ) [ with obj. ]
cover (something) with a hard black varnish: (as adj. japanned) : a japanned tin tray. (I just read this word in East of Eden, hence the question)
China. noun
a fine white or translucent vitrified ceramic material: a plate made of china | [ as modifier ] : a china cup. Also called porcelain.
Shanghai. verb ( shanghais , shanghaiing |-ˌhī-iNG|, shanghaied |-ˌhīd| ) [ with obj. ] historical
force (someone) to join a ship lacking a full crew by drugging them or using other underhanded means.
With a POD in 1800, make Korea(Corea is an acceptable variant) be used as an everyday verb in whatever meaning.
Japan. verb ( japans, japanning , japanned ) [ with obj. ]
cover (something) with a hard black varnish: (as adj. japanned) : a japanned tin tray. (I just read this word in East of Eden, hence the question)
China. noun
a fine white or translucent vitrified ceramic material: a plate made of china | [ as modifier ] : a china cup. Also called porcelain.
Shanghai. verb ( shanghais , shanghaiing |-ˌhī-iNG|, shanghaied |-ˌhīd| ) [ with obj. ] historical
force (someone) to join a ship lacking a full crew by drugging them or using other underhanded means.
With a POD in 1800, make Korea(Corea is an acceptable variant) be used as an everyday verb in whatever meaning.