1.
lining, backing, mounting
The act of applying a backing material to paper, fabric, or artwork to reinforce or preserve it. A traditional craft technique used in scroll mounting and paper restoration.
掛け軸の裏打ちをする。
Apply backing to a hanging scroll.
古い書画の裏打ちには高い技術が必要だ。
Backing old calligraphy and paintings requires advanced skill.
表具師が和紙を使って丁寧に裏打ちの作業を進めている。
The scroll mounter is carefully proceeding with the backing work using Japanese paper.
2.
substantiation, backing, proof
Evidence or support that confirms or validates something. Used figuratively to mean that something is backed up by solid evidence or experience.
経験に裏打ちされた自信がある。
There is a confidence backed by experience.
データに裏打ちされた主張だ。
It is a claim backed by data.
長年の研究に裏打ちされた理論だからこそ、多くの専門家が支持している。
Precisely because it is a theory substantiated by years of research, many experts support it.
USAGE NOTE:
The figurative sense (sense 2) is more commonly encountered in modern usage. The pattern 〜に裏打ちされた (backed by ~) is a very common construction, typically used with words like 経験 (experience), データ (data), 実績 (track record), or 努力 (effort).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 裏打ちをする (apply backing)
- 〜に裏打ちされた (backed by, substantiated by)
- 裏打ちのある (with substance, well-founded)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 裏付け: corroboration, evidence (more common in everyday contexts for the figurative meaning)
- 根拠: basis, grounds (factual basis for an argument)