B
bakufu: Literally, “tent government.” Another name for the shogunate and the shogun’s administration.
C
chonmage: The traditional hairstyle of adult samurai males. After shaving the pate, the remaining hair was oiled and tied in a tail, which was then folded back and forth on top of the head.
D
daimyo: A samurai lord, usually the ruler of a province or the head of a samurai clan.
E
eta: Literally, “an abundance of filth.” A term for members of the Japanese “untouchable” or outcaste class that sat at the bottom of Japan’s social hierarchy. In modern times, the term was replaced by the less offensive “burakumin.”
F
futon: A thin padded mattress, small and pliable enough to be folded and stored out of sight during the day.
G
geta: Traditional Japanese sandals (resembling flip-flops) with a raised wooden base and fabric thongs that wrapped around the wearer’s big toe.
H
hakama: Loose, pleated pants worn over kimono or beneath a tunic or surcoat.
I
ichibancha: “First-picked tea.” Tea leaves picked in April or early May, during the first picking of the season. Ichibancha is considered the highest quality, and most flavorful, kind of tea.
J
jitte: A long wooden or metal nightstick with a forward-pointing hook at the top of the hand grip; carried by dōshin as both a weapon and a symbol of office.
K
kami: The Japanese word for “god” or “divine spirit”; used to describe gods, the spirits inhabiting natural objects, and certain natural forces of divine origin.
kanzashi: A type of hair pin worn by women in medieval Japan.
kata: Literally, “form(s).” A detailed pattern or set of movements used to practice martial skills and combat techniques, performed either with or without a weapon.
katana: The longer of the two swords worn by a samurai. (The shorter one is the wakizashi.)
kimono: Literally, “a thing to wear.” A full-length wrap-around robe traditionally worn by Japanese people of all ages and genders.
kitsune: A “fox spirit,” often believed to possess superior intelligence, long life, and magical powers. According to legend, kitsune sometimes assumed a human (usually female) form in order to play tricks on people.
M
miso: A traditional Japanese food paste made from fermented soybeans (or, sometimes, rice or barley).
mon: An emblem or crest used to identify a Japanese family or clan.
N
noren: A traditional Japanese doorway hanging, with a slit cut up the center to permit passage.
O
obi: A wide sash wrapped around the waist to hold a kimono closed, worn by people of all ages and genders.
oe: The large central living space in a Japanese home, which featured a sunken hearth and often served as a combination of kitchen, reception room, and living space.
P
Pontocho: One of Kyoto’s hanamachi (geisha and courtesan) districts, containing geisha houses, teahouses, brothels, restaurants, and similar businesses.
R
ronin: A masterless samurai.
ryu: Literally, “school.” Shinobi clans used this term as a combination identifier and association name. (Hattori Hiro is a member of the Iga ryu.)
S
sake (also “saké”): An alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice.
samurai: A member of the medieval Japanese nobility, the warrior caste that formed the highest-ranking social class.
-san: A suffix used to show respect.
seppuku: A form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment, originally used only by samurai.
shinobi: Literally, “shadowed person.” Shinobi is the Japanese pronunciation of the characters that many Westerners pronounce “ninja.” (“Ninja” is based on a Chinese pronunciation.)
Shinto: The indigenous spirituality or religion of Japan, sometimes also called “kami-no-michi.”
shirazu: A pit of white sand where criminals knelt during trial and to receive their sentences from the magistrate.
shogun: The military dictator and commander who acted as de facto ruler of medieval Japan.
shogunate (also “bakufu”): A name for the shogun’s government and the compound where the shogun lived.
shoji: A sliding door, usually consisting of a wooden frame with oiled paper panels.
shuriken: An easily concealed, palm-sized weapon made of metal and often shaped like a cross or star; used by shinobi for throwing or as a handheld weapon in close combat.
sugi: Also known as “Japanese cedar” (Cryptomeria japonica). A type of tree indigenous to Japan, often used for sake casks. The wood imparts a flavor that overpowers the delicate notes of high-quality sake, so sugi barrels are customarily used for ceremonial casks or aging lower-quality sakes.
T
tatami: A traditional Japanese mat-style floor covering made in standard sizes, with the length measuring exactly twice its width. Tatami usually contained a straw core covered with grass or rushes.
torii: A traditional, stylized Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance to Shinto shrines.
U
udon: A type of thick wheat flour noodle, often served hot in soup or broth.
W
wakizashi: The shorter of the two words worn by a samurai. (The longer one is the katana.)
Z
za: A guild.
For additional cultural information, expanded definitions, and author’s notes, visit http://www.susanspann.com.