Cipango
/sɪˈpæŋ.ɡoʊ/noun
A historical European name for Japan, especially in medieval and Renaissance travel writing.
Did you know?Marco Polo’s famous descriptions of Cipango helped turn Japan into a semi-mythic destination in the European imagination, long before many Europeans had any direct contact with it.
Etymological Timeline
13th Century
Italian
Cipangu
“Marco Polo’s recorded form of the name for Japan, described as a wealthy island in the East”
14th Century
Latin
Cipango
“Latinized form used in European manuscripts and maps”
15th Century
Portuguese
Cipango
“A legendary eastern island associated with gold and marvels in travel accounts”
Modern English
English
Cipango
“A historical name for Japan in older European texts”
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