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Wa-pedia Top > Japan Glossary

Japan Glossary Japan Glossary (top) Culinary terms Historical terms Religious terms Traditional culture Glossary of terms related to traditional Japanese culture Fundoshi Loincloth used by "sumo-tori". 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. Ikebana Japanese flower arragement. Jigoku Hell, as in "jigoku onsen" ("hellish hotspring"). See Beppu Kampō Chinese herbal medicines (still commonly used in Japan in addition to Western medicines) 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. Maiko Apprentice geisha. They usually dress more colourfully and with more hair ornaments than geisha. Miai See "o-miai" Minshuku Japanese-style hostel or Bed & Breakfast. 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. O-furo Japanese bath, consisting of a bath and washing space next to it, forming a separate room in itself. 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. Rakugo Sit-down comedy. Ryokan Japanese-style inn, typically with tatami rooms. Sakura Cherry tree or cherry blossom. Sento Public bath Shitamachi Historical centre of a town. Shōgi East Asian version of "chess". Shukubo Temple lodging Soroban An abacus Sumo Japanese wrestling. Tanuki Japanese racoon dog, famous for having enormous testicles. 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"). Tsubaki Camellia. One of the most common flowers in winter in Japan. 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. Zabuton Flat cushion used for sitting on. Language related terms Baka Term meaning "stupid" or "idiot". Chan Suffix used after a person name to show familiarity. 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"). Furigana Hiragana used to give the phonetic reading of kanji. Heika Suffix meaning "Your Majesty". Hiragana Japanese phonetic script mostly used for words with no kanji or instead of kanji. 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". Kana The two Japanese phonetic scripts (hiragana and katakana). Kampai "Cheers !" Kanji Chinese character(s) used in Japanese Katakana Japanese phonetic script used mostly for writing foreign words. Keigo Honorific language, used to show respect to superiors or elders when talking about them. Kensongo Humble language, used to show respect to superiors or elders when talking about oneself. Kōhai Term used to refer to a person who is younger or one's subordinate in the same company, school or organization. (Opposite = "sempai") Kun Suffix used after a person name (usually boys or young men) to show respect. O-kaeri (nasai) Greeting said to someone who comes back from outside (=> compare with "tadaima"). Sama Suffix used after a person name to show respect (more formal than "san"). San Suffix used after a person name to show respect. 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. Shi Suffix used after a person name to show respect. Tadaima Usual greeting said when one comes back (home, to one's office...) from outside.