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Glossary of Japanese Terms The articles in this section were written by Maciamo except otherwise mentioned Cultural & Historical Terms For food, culinary and cooking terms, check the Japanese Food Glossary AEON One of the largest foreign language school in Japan. Known as one of the "big 5" Eikaiwa school, along with GEOS, NOVA, ECC and Berlitz. Also the name of a famous supermarket (AEON JUSCO). Amaterasu Omikami Supreme Shintō goddess of the Sun, and legendary ancestor of the Japanese Imperial family. ANA All Nippon Airways Asobu "To play". Does not refer only to games, but to any form of entertainment or amusment, including sex. AV Adult video (not "audio video" !) Baikingu Smorgasbord or buffet. The word comes from "viking", the name of the first Swedish restaurant in Japan offering smorgasbord. Baka Term meaning "stupid" or "idiot". Bakumatsu Final years of the Tokugawa shogunate (1853-1867), from the arrival of Commodore Perry to the Meiji Restoration. Berlitz One of the largest foreign language school in Japan. Known as one of the "big 5" Eikaiwa school, along with GEOS, NOVA, AEON and ECC. Bosan See "o-bosan" Bushido "Code of the Warrior". Chan Suffix used after a person name to show familiarity. Choshu Former name of Yamaguchi prefecture. Chūbu Region of central Honshu, between the Kanto and Kansai. It includes the Koshin'etsu and Tokai areas. Chūgoku Western Honshu region. Combini 24h/7days convenience store, such as 7 Eleven, Family Mart or Circle K-Sunkus. Commodore Perry See "Perry" Daimyo Powerful feudal lord. Dashi Festival car used in "matsuri". Denka Suffix used after a person name, meaning "Your Highness". Dono Suffix used after a person name to show respect (more formal than "san" and "sama"). ECC One of the largest foreign language school in Japan. Known as one of the "big 5" Eikaiwa school, along with GEOS, NOVA, AEON and Berlitz. Echigo Former name of Niigata prefecture. Echizen Former name of Fukui prefecture. Edo Former name of Tokyo until 1868. Eikaiwa English Conversation (School). The 5 biggest "Eikaiwa schools" in Japan are : NOVA, GEOS, AEON, Berlitz and ECC. Enjo Kosai Literally "compensated dating". It stands for teenage girl who give sexual service to older men, typically in exchange for brand bags or clothes or for money. It is in other words voluntary teenage prostitution and is saddly relatively common in Japan. Enkai Kibun "Party mood". Fundoshi Loincloth used by "sumo-tori". Furigana Hiragana used to give the phonetic reading of kanji. Furo See "o-furo" Fusuma Sliding door typically made of thick paper or cloth pasted on a wooden frame and used in traditional Japanese houses as room-dividers. Geisha Traditional Japanese hostess. Geisha entertain their guests with convresation, games and playing the shamisen, dancing and singing. GEOS One of the largest foreign language school in Japan. Known as one of the "big 5" Eikaiwa school, along with AEON, NOVA, ECC and Berlitz. Hachiman Shintō god of war. Happi Traditional garment worn in "matsuri". Harakiri Ritual suicide. Usually called seppuku by the Japanese. Heika Suffix meaning "Your Majesty". Heisei Current Emperor of Japan since 1989, also known as Akihito. Hiragana Japanese phonetic script mostly used for words with no kanji or instead of kanji. Hokkaido Japan northenmost major island and second largest island after Honshu. Honshu Japan's main island. It includes the region of Tohoku, Kanto, Chūbu, Kansai and Chūgoku. Inari Shintō goddess of rice and fertility, usually associated with foxes. Ijime Bullying or teasing, usually at school or at work. Ikebana Japanese flower arragement. Irasshaimase Expression used to welcome customers into a shop or restaurant. Itadakimasu Polite expression used before eating, drinking or receiving a present. Lit. means "I humbly receive". Ito Hirobumi Leading Meiji-era statesman and first prime minister of Japan. Izakaya Restaurants serving various kind of food and where people usually go to drink alcohol. JAL Japan Airlines Jigoku Hell, as in "jigoku onsen" ("hellish hotspring"). See Beppu Jimintō "Jiyu-Minshu-to" (Liberal Democratic Party, or LDP). The largest Japanese political party, in power since 1958. (See Japan's Political System) Jinja Shintō shrine. Jitensha Bicycle JNTO Japan National Tourist Organization Jōdō-shinshu "True Pure Land". Second most popular sect of Japanese Buddhism with about 12 million followers. Jōdō-shū "Pure Land". Most popular sect of Japanese Buddhism with about 30 million followers. JR Japan Railway JTB Japan Travel Bureau (Japan's largest travel agency) Jushoku Title given to resident minister of Buddhist temples. JYHA Japanese Youth Hostel Association Kami Kami is the Japanese word referring to gods, deities or higher powers. Kabakura Japanaese abbreviation for "Cabaret Club", i.e. a kind of hostess bar with usually younger girls than in other hostess bars. Kabuki Traditional Japanese theatre. Kamameishi Rice cooked in an iron pot, usually with vegetable and meat. Kami Shintō deity. Kamon Traditional family crest of the aristocracy. Also called "Monsho" or just "Mon". Kampai "Cheers !" Kampo Chinese herbal medicines (still commonly used in Japan in addition to Western medicines) Kana The two Japanese phonetic scripts (hiragana and katakana). Kanji Chinese character Kannon Buddhist/Hindu goddess of Mercy (Sanskrit : Avalokiteshvara). Kannushi Head priest of a Shintō shrine. Kansai Literally, region "West to the barrier", referring to the major population centre of Western Japan around Kyōto and Osaka. Another term for Kinki. Kanto Large plain and geographical area surrounding Tokyo. Katakana Japanese phonetic script used mostly for writing foreign words. Katana Japanese sword. KDDI Kokusai Denshin Denwa International (International Telegraph & Telephone) Keigo Honorific language, used to show respect to superiors or elders. Keiretsu Industrial conglomerate. Another term for "zaibatsu". Kimono Traditional Japanese dress. It is a long, loose robe with wide sleeves tied with a "obi". Kimonos are worn especially for formal ceremonies, mostly by children and women. Kinki Literally, region "near the capital (Kyoto)", referring to the prefecture surrounding Kyoto. Another term for Kansai. Koban Police box keeping only a few (sometimes only one) police officer. They were created to ensure public order, but are used mostly by people to ask their way around. Kohai Term used to refer to a person who is younger or one's subordinate in the same company, school or organization. (Opposite = "sempai") Kombini See "combini". Komeitō Clean Government Party. Third largest political part in Japan, affiliated to the "new religion" Soka Gakkai. (See Japan's Political System) Konnyaku Gelatin-like food made from the starch of "konnyaku potato". Koshinetsu Subregion of the Chūbu region. It includes the prefectures of Yamanashi, Nagano and Niigata. Kotatsu Low, heated table with a quilt covering it to keep one's body warm. Note that central heating and thermic insulation are still a rarity in Japan. Koto Traditional 13-stringed instrument played flat on the floor. Kun Suffix used after a person name (usually boys or young men) to show respect. Kyakusan Term with a broad meaning in English, meaning guest, customer, passenger, patron, buyer, shopper, regular, clientele, etc. Kyushu Japan's third largest island. LDP See "Jimintō " Maiko Apprentice geisha. They usually dress more colourfully and with more hair ornaments than geisha. Manga Japanese comics Matsuri Japanese festival Mazakon Japanese abbreviation for "mother-complex" (Oedipus complex). Meiji Emperor of Japan from 1868 to 1912, also known as Mutsuhito. Meiji Restoration Historical period coinciding with the Westernization and industrialization of Japan. Miai See "o-miai" Miko Shrine maiden Mikoshi Portable shrine used in festivals. Minshuku Japanese-style hostel or Bed & Breakfast. Minshūtō Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). Second largest political party in Japan. (See Japan's Political System) MITI Ministry of International Trade and Industry Miyage See "o-miyage" Momiji Japanese maples (with smaller leaves than other maples), known for their beautiful red leaves in autumn. Momo Peach, peach tree or peach blossom. Nampa A playboy or playgirl. Someone who is looking for a sexual partner in the street or in a nightclub. NHK Nihon Hoso Kyokai (Japan Broadcasting Corporation). The Japanese equivalent of the BBC. No pants shabu-shabu "Shabu-shabu" restaurant where waitresses do not wear underwear and perverted customers are allowed to peep under their skirts. Also exist with other kinds of restaurants than "shabu-shabu". NOVA The largest foreign language school in Japan. Known as one of the "big 5" Eikaiwa school, along with AEON, GEOS, ECC and Berlitz. NTT Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp. O-bosan Buddhist priest or monk. O-furo Japanese bath, consisting of a bath and washing space next to it, forming a separate room in itself. O-kaeri (nasai) Greeting said to someone who comes back from outside (=> compare with "tadaima"). O-miai Marriage arranged via a third party who introduces the potential partners. It is still a fairly common practice in Japan. O-miyage Souvenir gifts (typically food) which Japanese are expected to give to their family or colleagues after coming back from a trip (even short). O-shibori Lit. "wringed (towel)". Hot and wet towel provided in restaurants to clean one's hands (or face) from sweat before eating. Obaku Branch of Zen Buddhism. Okinawa Japan's southernmost group of islands, between Kyushu and Taiwan. OL Office lady. Usually unmarried women with non career jobs reserved for women, such as receptionist, secretary or clerical work. It oftens involves serving tea in the office or accompanying male co-workers to karaoke or izakayas after work. Oni Demon, ogre or evil spirit. Oni often feature in children stories, such as Momotaro. Onnagata Male actor playing a woman's role in Kabuki. Pachinko Vertical pinball game found everywhere in Japanese cities. Pachinko parlours are very noisy, but it doesn't prevent them from being the most common form of gambling in Japan. It is also a major source of yakuza funding, tax evasion, etc. Pasokon Japanese abbreviation for Personal Computer (PC). Passnet Train/Metro Card sold in amount of 1000yen, 3000yen or 5000yen, in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. Perry (Matthew Calbraith) American Commodore who forced Japan to open its ports to the Western powers in 1853, which eventually led to the fall of the Tokugawa regime and the modernization of Japan under Meiji. Rakugo Sit-down comedy. Remokon Japanese abbreviation for Remote Control. Rinzai Branch of Zen Buddhism. Ronin Masterless samurai. Ryokan Japanese-style inn Sado Tea ceremony Sakura Cherry tree or cherry blossom Salaryman Businessman, typically employed by a big company and wearing a black or grey suit. Sama Suffix used after a person name to show respect (more formal than "san"). Samurai Member of the military caste of feudal Japan. San Suffix used after a person name to show respect. Sanshu no Jingi The three Imperial Regalia : the mirror, the sword and the jewels. Satori Buddhist enlightenment Satsuma Former name of Kagoshima prefecture. Sempai Term used to refer to a person who is older or one's hierarchical superior in the same company, school or organization. (Opposite = "kohai") Sensei Suffix used after a person name or alone with someone who possess superior knowledge or mastery of something, such as Professors, Doctors, Teachers, etc. Sento Public bath Seppuku Ritual suicide. Also known as harakiri. Shi Suffix used after a person name to show respect. Shichigosan Traditional Japanese custom to bring children aged 7, 5 and 3 to the Shintō shrine on 15 November. Usually girls of 7 and 3 and boys of 5 and 3 are taken by thir parents to pray for their good health and future blessings. The children normally wear colouful kimono for the occasion. Shikoku Japan's fourth largest island. Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. The third most popular sect of Buddhism in Japan, with about 10 million followers. Shinkansen Japanese bullet train. The main line runs from Nortern Kyushu to Northern Honshu and reaches 280km/h. Shinsengumi Elite samurai corps of the late Tokugawa era. Shintoism "Way of the Gods". Japan's indigenous religion. It is a form of animism and comprises most of the Japanese traditions. Shitamachi Historical centre of a town. Shogi East Asian version of "chess". Shogun Military ruler in feudal Japan. Showa Emperor of Japan from 1926 to 1989, also known as Hirohito. Shukubo Temple lodging SM bar Sado-masochist bar Soapland Euphemistic term referring to bathhouses offering sexual services. It replaced the term "Turkish bath" after the Turkish government complained. Soroban An abacus Soto Branch of Zen Buddhism. Suika Card Rechargeable card providing fast payment that can be used on JR trains and in some shops. Sumo Japanese wrestling. Tadaima Usual greeting said when one comes back (home, to one's office...) from outside. Taisho Emperor of Japan from 1912 to 1926, also known as Yoshihito. Tanuki Japanese racoon dog, famous for having enormous testicles. Tarento "Talent". Refers to TV celebrities and entertainers, although they typically lack the so-called "talent". Tatami Traditional Japanese straw mat used as floor covering. A tatami measure approximately 180cm (6 feet) by 90cm (3 feet). Japanese often count a room's area in number of tatami instead of square metre or square feet. The kanji for tatami is then read "jo". A room containing 8 tatami is called ‚Wô ("atchi-jo"). Tendai Lotus Sutra sect of Buddhism from China. Terebi geemu Video game(s) Tohoku Northern Honshu (lit. North-East). Tokai Subregion of the Chūbu region. It includes the prefectures of Shizuoka, Aichi and Gifu, and sometimes also Mie. Tokugawa dynasty Family which ruled over Japan from 1600 to 1867. Torii Entrance gate to a Shintō shrine. Tosa Former name of Kochi prefecture. Tramp (or torampu) Playing cards (the word comes from "trump"). Not a homeless person, nor a promiscuous woman. Tsuba Sword guard as used on "katana". Tsubaki Camellia. One of the most common flowers in winter in Japan. Ukai Cormorant fishing. This has been practice for a very long time in Japan and can still be observed in some rural areas such as the Gify prefecture (see Inuyama. Ume Japanese plum (or abricot). It looks like a big, green apricot and is used principally to make "umeshu" or "umeboshi" Usagi Rabbit. One of the most loved animal in Japan. It is used as a mascot by NOVA, and many hostess bar have "bunny girls". Wa Concept of harmony and team-spirit. The kanji (˜a) can also be read as "Yamato", meaning "Japan". It is the 'Wa' used in Wa-pedia. Yakuza Japanese mafia Yamabushi Mountain priest, practitioners of the Shugendo sect of Buddhism. Yamagata Aritomo Prominent Meiji-era statesman and founder of the modern Japanese army. He served twice prime minister. Yomiuri Giants Most popular Japanese baseball team (from Tokyo), supported by about 50% of the Japanese. Zabuton Flat cushion used for sitting on. Zaibatsu Industrial conglomerate, such as Mitsui, Mitsubishi or Sumitomo. Famous historical people of the last 150 years Emperor Meiji (Mutsuhito) Emperor Taisho (Yoshihito) Emperor Showa (Hirohito) Emperor Akihito Katsura Taro Inoue Kaoru Ito Hirobumi Matsukata Masayoshi Natsume Soseki Okubo Toshimichi Okuma Shigenobu Matthew C. Perry Saigo Takamori Saionji Kimmochi Yamagata Aritomo