Chapter 2: Glossary

All foreign phrases are typed in cursive when appearing in text for the first time, indicating that they have their explanation in the Glossary.

Affinity - relationship by ties other than those of blood.

Arigatō - Japanese for 'thank you'. The Japanese have many ways of saying 'thank you'. In general, the longer the phrase the more gratitude is expressed ('Dōmo Arigatōgozaimashita').

Bakufu - The Tokugawa Shōgunate government.

Black Ships - The name given to Western vessels arriving in Japan. Here referred to as the fleet of ships brought by Commodore Perry.

Bō - A long staff used in Japanese martial arts.

Bokken - Japanese wooden sword used for training. Usually the size and shape of katana.

Bushido - ('the way of the warrior') Japanese term for the samurai way of life, praising the honour, courage and loyalty.

-Chan - a suffix used with a person's name as an endearment, used for children and loved ones.

Cheongsam - a classic dress for Chinese women which features a straight collar, a fitted waist and slits on both sides of the dress.

Compulsory Residence (Sankin-kōtai) - (literally 'alternate attendance') a policy of the Tokugawa Shōgunate during most of the Edo period in Japan (time of the Shōgun's supremacy). It was the requirement that every Daimyō move periodically between Edo and his domain, typically spending alternate years in each place. His family was required to remain in Edo as hostages while he was away. There were some exceptions from the rule.

Daimyō - Powerful Japanese feudal lords, who ruled most of Japan from their vast, hereditary held domains.

Dōjō - (literally 'place of the Way') A hall or space for immersive learning or meditation. Often used for martial arts practice.

Gai-Jin - (literally 'outside person') Japanese phrase for westerners and any other non-Japanese. For a time had pejorative connotations.

Geisha - Traditional Japanese female entertainers who act as hostesses. Their skills include performing various arts such as classical music, dance, games and conversation. Traditionally entertaining male customers.

Geta - A form of traditional Japanese footwear that resemble wooden clogs and flip-flops.

Haha - Japanese for 'mother'.

Hai - Japanese for 'yes'.

Haiku - A traditional form of Japanese poetry. They consist of 3 lines; first and third lines should have 5 syllables and the middle has 7 syllables.

Hakama - Type of traditional Japanese clothing. Trousers worn over a kimono, allowing horse riding and fighting.

Hashi - Chopsticks.

Īe - Japanese for 'no'.

Jinbaori - A type of Japanese short coat without sleeves, which a high-ranking samurai wore over his armour or clothing for protection against the elements and as a display of his status and his Mon, family crest.

Kami - Spirits that are worshipped in the Shinto religion. They can be forces of nature or elementals.

Kanpai - Japanese for 'cheers'.

Katana - One of traditional Japanese swords that were used by Samurai of ancient and feudal  Japan. It has a distinctive appearance: a curved, single-edged blade with a long grip to accommodate two hands. Symbol of status.

Kenjutsu - All schools of Japanese swordsmanship, in particular those that predate the Meiji Restoration.

Kitsune - A Japanese witch. Traditionally understood to be a shapeshifter and a beautiful enchantress who could bewitch men and lead them to their doom. Not in the Western sense of a woman worshiping devil.

Kōeidesu - Japanese for 'I am honoured'.

Komei, The Emperor - The titular ruler of Japan in time of Commodore Perry's visit.

Loki - In Norse mythology a god of mischief and trickery.

Meiji Restoration - The event of political change that restored rule of Japan, deposing the Shōgun and giving all the power back to the Emperor Meiji who was the son of Emperor Komei.

Obi - A sash for traditional Japanese dress and part of kimono outfits. The obi of men's kimono were rather narrow, 10 centimetres/ 3.9 inches wide at most, but women's formal obi could be 30 centimetres/ 12 inches wide and more than 4 metres/ 13 foot long.

Otōsan - Japanese for 'father'.

O wakare - Japanese for 'farewell'.

Palanquin - A covered litter, usually for one passenger, carried by an even number of bearers on their shoulders.

Rakugo - (literally 'fallen words') A form of verbal entertainment. Using only a paper fan and a small cloth as props and without standing up the lone storyteller enacts complicated comical story. A version of western 'stand up' comedy.

Rōnin - (literally 'wanderer') A masterless Samurai in feudal Japan. A samurai became masterless after the death or fall of his Lord. To become a Rōnin was considered the greatest shame for a samurai.

Ryokan - A type of traditional Japanese inn that originated in the Edo period (1603 - 1868).

Sachi, Prince - The Emperor Komei's son who succeed him to the throne adopting the name Meiji.

Saké - Japanese rice wine.

Sakoku - (literally 'country in chains') Foreign policy of Japan under which no foreigner could enter or leave the country on penalty of death.

Samurai - Military nobility and officer caste of medieval and early-modern Japan. As a symbol of status they used two swords.

-San; -Sama - honorific suffix used with the person's name as a sign of respect.

Sayōnara - Japanese for 'goodbye'.

Sensei - Japanese honorific given to one's teacher.

Seppuku - (sometime referred to as Harakiri) A form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. Originally reserved for samurai; practiced to restore honour for oneself, one's family or in a protest over something.

Shamisen - (literally 'three strings') A traditional Japanese instrument with three strings; in shape close to a mandolin, but with longer neck.

Shintō - (literally 'the way of the gods') Japanese ethnic religion that focuses on ritual practices to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past.

Shōgun - The military dictator of Japan until 1868. Shōguns were the true rulers, with the Emperors only as a ceremonial function.

Subarashii - Japanese for 'wonderful, splendid, excellent, or magnificent'.

Tabi - The traditional Japanese socks; ankle height and with separation between the big toe and the other toes. Worn with Geta.

Takamikura - ('Chrysanthemum Throne') The throne of Japanese Emperor.

Tanto - (literally 'short sword') One of the three traditional samurai swords. Sometimes carried instead of Wakizashi. Symbol of status.

Tennō - (literally 'Heavenly Sovereign') The official title of the Japanese Emperor.

Tokonoma - A highly respected space in a Japanese style reception room; an alcove with a raised floor which houses a simple flower arrangement and a picture or a scroll with some calligraphy.

Tokugawa - The last feudal Japanese military government, which existed between 1600 and 1868. The head of the government was the Shōgun, who was always a member of Tokugawa clan. Deposed in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration.

Torii - ( literally 'bird abode') Traditional Japanese gate most commonly found at the entrance or within a Shinto shrine, where it symbolically marks the transition from the profane to the sacred.

Wakarimasu ka? -Japanese for 'do you understand?'

Wakizashi - Traditional Japanese sword used by Samurai. It is shorter than katana and both swords are always carried together. Symbol of status.

Western Capital (Kyōto) - The official residence of the Emperor of Japan. While he resided in the west, the Shōgun ruled from Edo in the east. After the Emperor regained the power from the Shōgun, Edo was renamed as Tokyo, becoming the Eastern Capital.

Yameru - Japanese for 'stop'.

Zǎoshāng hǎo - Chinese for 'good morning'.