Nogiku Glossary

Since Nishikyō is seventy percent Japanese, most of the people speak Japanese as part of their daily life whether they are Japanese or not. It was important, therefore, to keep some of the dialogue Japanese without explaining too much and interrupting the story. Below, you’ll find a list of terms and phrases that are used in the Nogiku book.

Akemashite omedetō - Happy New Year! Ame - rain Arigatō gozaimashita (or just Arigatō) - thank you. Combined with domo it means “thank you very much.” Baka na toko - stupid or silly boys Bō - a staff or rod used for Japanese martial arts fighting that’s approximately six feet long Bōjutsu - the art of fighting with the bō Bunka no hi - Culture Day. Celebrated on November 2nd every year, it is a national holiday for Japan Chapatsu - (slang) refers to the distinct brown color of Asian hair when it is bleached. Literally, “brown hair.” Chashitsu - a tea house used for performing the Japanese tea ceremony Chuhai - a Japanese alcoholic beverage of shochu (a liquor similar to vodka) mixed with sparkling water and juice Coming of Age Day (Seijin no hi) - celebrated on the second Monday in January to honor those who have turned twenty the previous year. Twenty is the age of adulthood in Japan and Nishikyō. Typical celebrations include trips to the local shrine and parties with family and friends. Typical dress is kimono. Daiginjo - a high grade of sake Daijōbu desu - It’s ok Daimyō - a territorial lord in pre-modern Japan. They ruled over their vast land holdings and reported directly to the Shogun Daishō - Matched pair of long and short swords Dare ga imasu ka? - “Is anyone there?” Dō itashimashite. - You’re welcome Dokumiyaku - a food taster. Tastes food for poisons. Dōjō - a hall or place used for martial arts training Dōmo - thanks Dōzo - please, kindly, by all means. Usually used to indicate that someone should sit, proceed, or carry-on. Edamame - boiled soybeans in the shells Eto - a stammer much like “Um” in English. It is often drawn out (i.e. Etooooooo…) when one is thinking Futsukayoi - hungover. Literally, “drunk for the second day.” Ganbatte - Good luck Gaijin - Literally means outsider but generally refers to people not of Japanese descent Geisha - female Japanese entertainers that are skilled in traditional singing, dancing, and, other Japanese-specific events such as tea ceremonies Genkan - entrance hall or vestibule Genki - well (as in “I am well.”) Genmaicha - a mild green tea with toasted rice puffs Geta - Japanese wooden footwear similar to western flip-flops Gome - rice Gomen nasai (Gomen) - “I beg your pardon” or “excuse me” or “sorry.” Hai - yes Hakama - wide legged pants for either a man or woman usually worn over a kimono Hana - flower Hanko - a seal or signature stamp Haori - a hip length, kimono type jacket Hatsumōde - first temple visit of the year Hayaku - quickly, swiftly, rapidly Hinamatsuri - Girls’ Day. Celebrated in Japan every March 3rd Hiragana - Japanese syllabary, cursive, used primarily for native Japanese words and phrases Hontō ni - Really. Truly. Horigotatsu - a low, covered table placed over a hole in the floor of a Japanese-style room Iaido - art of drawing the Japanese sword Ii desu ne - That’s nice! (or “That’s good!”) Iie - no Ikimasho - Let’s go Ima - now Inarizushi - flavored boiled rice wrapped in thin, fried tofu Irasshaimase - “Welcome!” Used in shops, restaurants, businesses, etc. Itadakimasu - “I humbly receive.” Said at the beginning of meals, it is similar to saying “bon appetite” or saying grace Izakaya - a Japanese style bar where food and alcoholic beverages are served Jihi - lady-in-waiting. Personal assistant Jō - a staff or rod used for Japanese martial arts fighting that’s approximately four feet long Jōjutsu - the art of fighting with the jō Jya ne - later Jyunkyōsha - martyr Kabuki - Japanese classical drama Kaiseki - a traditional, multi-course Japanese meal that highlights different styles and flavors of Japanese cuisine. It is analogous to gourmet or haute cuisine. Kamon - family crest Kanchō (-kanchō) - Cabinet Head. Superintendent. Kanpai - a drinking toast Karate - a Japanese martial art that does not involve weapons. Hand-to-hand combat and self-defense. Kata - forms. In iaido and karate, this refers to forms or stances. Katabami - oxalis or wood sorrel plant Katakana - a Japanese syllabary used primarily in the transcription of foreign words. Different from both hiragana and kanji, katakana is characterized by shorter, straighter, more angular strokes. It is also used to write Japanese words when emphasis needs to be given, Japanese company names, names of plants, animals, and minerals, and onomatopoeia. Katana - a Japanese sword usually around 60cm long with a curved blade Kawaii - cute Kendo - swordsmanship. Japanese fencing Kiku - chrysanthemum Kimono - traditional Japanese robes worn by men, women, and children. Kimono are T-shaped, straight-hemmed, with wide sleeves that vary in length. They are usually made from silk and embroidered. They are secured around the waist using an obi (sash.) Kiotsukete - “take care” or “be safe.” Kirei desu ne - “how beautiful!” Kirei kore - “this is pretty.” Kitsune - foxes Kodama - a tree spirit Kokeshi - a small, traditional wooden doll Konbanwa - good evening Konnichiwa - good day Kudasai - please Kusokurae - fuck off Maiko - an apprentice geisha Maneki-neko - beckoning cat statue, usually white with one paw raised. Commonly seen in front of businesses because they are believed to bring good luck and fortune to an establishment. Mata ne - later Mei - inscription or signature Minka - a Japanese farmhouse Minna-sama dōmo arigatō gozaimashita - Thank you everyone very much Minna-san, ikimasho! - Let’s go everyone! Mizu - water Mo - also, too Mochi - Japanese rice cake made of glutinous rice, pounded into a paste, then molded into any one of a dozen shapes. Mochi is very sticky and chewy and can be easily choked on. A number of deaths happen every year in Japan due to mochi choking. Mochiron - of course Montsuki - a black kimono usually adorned with a family crest Mōshiwake gozaimasen - a very polite apology. The masculine form is Mōshiwake nai. Nani - what? Nantekotta - What the fuck? WTF? What the hell? Natsukashii - nostalgia or nostalgic Na - sentence ending similar to ne (see below) but used by men Ne - used at the end of a sentence indicates emphasis, agreement, or request for confirmation Nihongo - the Japanese language Ninja - person who uses ninjutsu (skills in secrecy and stealth) for the purposes of espionage, assassination, etc. Ninjutsu - the art of ninja skills and fighting Nogiku - wild chrysanthemum Noh - a form of classical Japanese musical drama in which many of the characters (played by men) are masked Nomikai - a drinking party or get together Noren - a sign curtain hung at a shop or restaurant entrance Nori - seaweed, usually in sheets Nunchaku - also known in English as “nunchucks” these are ninja fighting weapons, two sticks connected at their ends by a short chain Obasan - aunt Obi - a wide piece of cloth wrapped around one’s midsection as a belt or sash Obijime - a long cord that is wrapped around and tied over an obi Ofuro - Japanese style deep bath used primarily for soaking, not for washing. Washing is done first separately Ogenki desu ka? - How are you? Are you well? Ohayo gozaimasu (or Ohayo) - Good morning (or morning). Meant as a greeting. Ohisashiburi - “it’s been a long time.” Oi - hey! Oishii - delicious Okaasan - in reference to an okiya, this is the house mother who runs the geisha establishment. Also means mother. Okaeri nasai - Welcome home Okiya-Ochaya - This is a combination of two terms unique to the Nishikyō world. An okiya is a Geisha house. A place where geisha live during the length of their contract. An ochaya is a tea house where the geisha entertain their clients. In Nishikyō, these places are combined with the ochaya being on the first two or three floors, and the rest of the building’s upper floors are the okiya where the geisha live. For the sake of brevity, most people call them just an okiya. Okobo - wooden platform shoes usually several inches high and worn by maiko Omedetō gozaimashita (or just Omedetō) - congratulations (or congrats) Omedetai koto desu na - “I wanted to give my congratulations.” Ometase itashimashita - “Sorry I kept you waiting.” Omiai - a Japanese matchmaker Omikuji - a small piece of paper given out at temples around the New Year. Each has either a blessing or a curse (of varying degrees and kinds) written on it. If it’s a curse, one folds it up and ties it to a wire or tree set outside the temple. If it’s a blessing, one may keep the paper to keep the good luck close to them all year. Omiyage - gifts Omuraisu - omelet with a filling of ketchup-seasoned fried rice Onigiri - rice balls usually stuffed with fish or vegetables and wrapped in nori. They can also be grilled Onsen - a traditional Japanese bath house Osaki ni - to go ahead or in front of Otanjōbi omedetō - happy birthday Owari - “The end” or “all done.” Oyasumi-nasai (Oyasumi) - “Good night” or “night.” Pachinko - a Japanese gaming device similar to pinball but vertical instead of horizontal Renai - romantic relationship Ronin - wandering samurai without a master Ryokan - a Japanese inn similar to a bed-and-breakfast Sake - a Japanese alcoholic beverage brewed from rice Samurai - warrior, especially military retainers of daimyos in the Edo period San-san-kudo - a part of the Japanese wedding ceremony considered to be the “exchange of the nuptial cups.” The bride and groom take three sips of rice wine (sake) from a series of three cups totaling nine sips. Saya - a scabbard, or covering, for a Japanese katana sword Seiza - a way of sitting where one kneels on the floor and brings one’s buttocks down upon the heels of one’s feet. The feet are then relaxed so that the outer soles rest on the floor and the feet form a V-shape. Sensei - teacher Shamisen - a three-stringed Japanese instrument similar to a guitar or banjo Shinobi - an alternate reading of the word “ninja” meaning “spy” Shinobijō - a short staff with weapons in each end used by ninjas Shiromuku - a white kimono, usually silk and extravagantly stitched and handmade. Worn by brides on their wedding day. Shitsurei itashimasu - a polite form of saying “my apologies.” Shochu - a liquor similar to vodka distilled from rice Shodō - Asian calligraphy based on Chinese characters Shōgun (Shōgunate) - a ruling military general. During pre-modern Japan, the shogun ruled Japan divvying out responsibilities to his subordinates (the daimyōs). Shuriken - throwing weapons that comes in many shapes the most popular being a star shape Sō desu ne or Sō desu yo or Sō deshō- an interjection that means “That is right”, “It looks to me…”, or “That is so.” Sōdanyaku - advisor or consigliere Subarashii desu yo - “It’s magnificent!” Sukoshi - a little bit, a small amount Sugoi - terrible or dreadful Sumimasen - “Excuse me” or “sorry.” Suware na (Suwaru) - from the verb “to sit” but said here in a casual manner. Tabi - white socks with a separation between the big and next toe. Commonly wore with sandals. Taiko - drum. Outside of Japan, taiko refers to Japanese style drums. Tamari - dark soy sauce Tanabata - a Japanese holiday that takes place on July 7th every year celebrating the meeting of two gods (a man and woman who are lovers) in the heavens Tempura - deep fried vegetables or fish in a light batter Tenchō - bar manager. Barkeep. Tenkyo - moving, changing residence Tokonoma - an alcove where art and/or flowers are displayed Tonde mo nai - unthinkable, outrageous Torii - a large gate usually over the entrance to a temple. They can be any color but red is popular Torinozoku - to remove, take away, or set apart Totemo - very Tsuba - handgrip on a katana sword Udon - a thick, wheat-based noodle, usually served in a hot, salty broth Udonya - a place that sells udon (the -ya suffix means “store, restaurant, or place of business.”) Usagi - rabbit Utuskushii - beautiful Wakarimasu ka? - Understand? Wakarimasu - Understand (or “I understand.”) Wakizashi - short sword Yakuza - Japanese mafia or crime syndicate Yama - mountain Yasai - vegetable Yasai gyoza - vegetable dumplings Yukata - a light summer kimono made of cotton …desu ne! - Sentence ending that conveys imperative