Glossary

 

 

 

Abay/Abago: grandmother/grandfather

Akka: daughter

Argaze: husband

Atigislit: dowry

Awi Tamgradat: matchmaker (literally: brings together before the wedding)

Em’halafi: destined match

Idinen: spirit

Imsi Tamgradat: matchmaking dinner

Kwebabiad: birther/carrier—person who carries child of same-sex couple (“egg carrier”)

Lijun: dual-natured (a being who has both a human and an animal spirit)

Ruh: ghost

Sa: son

Sa-awi Tamgradat: matchmaking

Sahnkes: shift (to change, to swap)

Sardu: heir to the Urusar (gender neutral)

Satislit (“the bride-son”): son raised to be “bride”

Shafa: witch

Tabib: medicine man

Tamgrakwal: betrothal contract

T-ɑsnɑ: clan

Tislit: wife (also betrothed)

Uma: mother

Urusar: village father

Uruma: village mother

Usar: father

Xatiba: betrothed/fiancé (male)

Xus or Tarir: possessed spirit (male and female)

 

Organization: GLA—Global Lijun Alliance

 

Japanese terms:

 

Arigatou: thank you

Bachi: straight, wooden sticks used to play Japanese taiko drums, or the plectrum for stringed instruments such as the shamisen and biwa

Biwa: a Japanese short-necked fretted lute

Dogeza: kneeling directly on the ground and bowing to prostrate oneself while touching one’s head to the floor

Dōitashimashite: you’re welcome

Eshaku: a brief courtesy bow between acquaintances or equals

Furisode: the most formal style of kimono worn by unmarried women, brightly colored with long, hanging sleeves

Futsurei: a more formal bow offered out of respect to an elder or someone of higher social standing

Geisha: one who is trained as an entertainer, with specifically training in music, dance, and the art of conversation

Geta: a wooden-soled, elevated sandal with a thong that passes between the big toe and the second toe

Gomen’nasai: I’m sorry

Hakama: loose, pleated trousers with many pleats in the front—part of Japanese formal dress for men

Irouchikake: a brightly colored bridal kimono, often worn untied and over the kakeshita

Itadakimasu: a phrase said before eating, meaning “I humbly receive,” or in less literal terms, “thank you for the food”

Kakeshita: a bridal kimono worn under the uchikake, usually tied with an obi

Kawauso: a river otter (can also refer to otters of folklore)

Kimono: a long, loose robe with wide sleeves often tied with a sash

Koropokkuru: the little people of Ainu folklore

Koshi himo: a thin belt used to hold kimono or yukata material in place before the obi is tied over it

Maiko: an apprentice geisha

Montsuki hakama: the most formal hakama, worn by bridegrooms

Nagajuban: a simple kimono-shaped under-robe worn under the kimono

Obi: a broad sash worn around the waist of a kimono

Obiage: a smaller sash worn between the top of the obi and the kimono

Obijime: a thin decorative cord worn around the center of the obi

Okaasan: mother

Otōusan: father

Saikeirei: a reverent bow, deeper than the futsurei

Sakazuki: a ritual exchange of sake cups

San-san-ku-do: three-three-nine times, the wedding drink from ever larger sake cups binding the bride and groom

Seiza: an upright kneeling position sitting back on one’s feet

Shi’ne: a Japanese curse, meaning, literally, “die”

Shinzen kekkon: a Shinto purification ritual

Shiromuku: a white wedding kimono, sometimes worn under a more colorful one

Suminasen: excuse me, or I’m sorry

Uchikake: (see irouchikake)

Wagasa: a traditional bamboo and paper parasol—ones used to escort the bride in weddings are often larger

Wataboshi: a traditional bridal kimono hood

Yukata: a casual, light summer kimono