Glossary of Japanese Terms
| Bakufu | 幕府 | The Government of feudal period of Japan |
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Banko |
万古 | Japanese earthenware produced at the turn of 19 and 20th centuries |
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Bijinga |
美人画 | Picture of a beauty or a young kabuki actor |
| Bizen | 備前 | Ancient province, consisting of parts of today’s Okayama, Ehime and Hyogo prefecture |
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Biwa |
琵琶 | String instrument resembling a lute |
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Bunraku |
文楽 | Japanese puppet theatre originating in 17th century |
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Byobu |
屏風 | Decorative multi panel folding screen |
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Cloisonné |
Enamel, a technique of metal decoration | |
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Daishou |
大小 | Lit. long and short. A set of two swords, worn strictly by the samurai class |
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Dohyou |
土俵 | The circle ring of sumou |
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Kabuki |
歌舞伎 | Japanese dance and drama theatre dating back to early 17th century |
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Kabuto |
兜 | Combat helmet of the samurai armour |
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Kaburo / kamuro |
禿 | Young apprentice courtesan |
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Kachou- ga |
花鳥画 | Images of flowers, birds, insects and small animals |
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Kadou |
華道 | Way of Ikebana |
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Kakejiku |
掛け軸 | Hanging wall scroll |
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Kakiemon |
柿右衛門 | Japanese Porcelain produced in Arita region |
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Kanzashi |
簪 | Traditional ornamental hairpin |
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Kassen- e |
合戦絵 | Scene of war/ rebellion from Japanese history |
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Kimono |
着物 | Traditional Japanese garment |
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Kiseru |
煙管 | Traditional Japanese pipe |
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Koto |
琴 | Traditional Japanese multi stringed instrument |
| Kuge | 公家 | Japanese aristocratic class |
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Kutani |
九谷 | Porcelain produced in Ishikawa Prefecture |
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Fukei- ga |
風景画 | Landscape |
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Fundoshi |
犢鼻褌 | Traditional Japanese underwear for adult men |
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Furin |
風鈴 | Wind bells made of glass |
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Furoshiki |
風呂敷 | Wrapping cloth used to carry or store things |
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Fuzoku- ga |
風俗画 | Genre picture |
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Geiko |
芸子 | Entertainer performing traditional Japanese dance and music in Kyoto |
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Geisha |
芸者 | Entertainer who performs traditional Japanese dance and music in Tokyo |
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Gendai hanga |
現代版画 | Contemporary Japanese print |
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Geta |
下駄 | Traditional Japanese wooden sandals |
| Gojuu-no-tou | 五重の塔 | Five stories pagoda |
| Goza | 茣蓙 | A mat made of juncus effusus(rush) plant |
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Hanga |
版画 | Japanese print |
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Hanabi |
花火 | Fireworks |
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Hanami |
花見 | Cherry blossoms viewing |
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Hashira- e |
柱絵
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Lit. pillar print. Long slender picture |
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Hinamatsuri |
雛祭り | Dolls festival for Girl’s Day on 3rd March |
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Hotoke |
仏 | Buddha |
| Horagai | 螺貝 | Wind instrument made of conch shell |
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Ikebana |
生花 | Japanese traditional flower arrangement |
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Imari |
伊万里 | Porcelain produced in Saga prefecture |
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Inro |
印籠 | Lit. seal box. Small box with compartments for small personal objects, mostly medicine |
| Ishidara | いしだら | A stone lantern often set in the Japanese garden |
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Izumo |
出雲 | East part of Shimane prefecture |
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Jinja |
神社 | Shinto Shrine |
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Jizou |
地藏 | Statue of a Buddhist saint, guardian of children |
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Joururi |
浄瑠璃 | Chanting narrative with accompanying of shamisen in Bunraku theatre |
| Ju-goya | 十五夜 | Full moon viewing on the 15th Aug of the traditional Japanese lunisolar calendar |
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Ju-ni hitoe |
十二単 | 12 layered kimono of Heian period |
| Ju-sanya | 十三夜 | The moon viewing on the 13th Sep of the traditional lunisolar calendar |
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Jitte |
十手 | Weapon used by police officers in the Edo period |
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Maiko |
舞妓 | Apprentice of Geiko in Kyoto |
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Miko |
巫女 | Female dancers serving at a Shinto shine |
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Mino |
美濃 | Ancient prefecture, part of today’s Gifu |
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Musashi |
武蔵 | Ancient prefecture, consisting of parts of today’s Tokyo, Saitama and parts of Kanagawa prefecture |
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Musha- e |
武者絵 | Image of a warrior |
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Netsuke |
根付 | Pendant, counterweight for inro, holding it in place behind the sash |
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Nimai tsuzuki |
二枚続き | Diptych |
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Ninja |
忍者 | Undercover agents working for warlords |
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Noh |
能 | Traditional Japanese mask theatre originating in 14th century |
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Obake |
お化け
|
Japanese ghost |
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Obi |
帯 | Broad belt for kimono |
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Ougi- e |
扇絵 | Design of a folding fan |
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Onnagata |
女形 | Kabuki actor specialising in female roles |
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Owari |
尾張 | West parts of today’s Aichi prefecture |
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Rekishi- e |
歴史絵 | Scene from Japanese history |
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Ryu |
竜 | Dragon |
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Sadou |
茶道 | Way of tea ceremony |
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Sagami |
相模 | Part of today’s Kanagawa prefecture |
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Sakura |
桜 | Cherry blossom tree, symbol of beauty and illusiveness of life |
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Sanmai tsuzuki |
三枚続き | Triptych |
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Satsuma no kuni |
薩摩の國 | West parts of today’s Kagoshima prefecture |
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Satsuma |
薩摩 | Pottery produced in Satsuma region |
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Sensu |
扇子 | Japanese folding fan |
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Shakuhachi |
尺八 | A type of Japanese flute traditionally made of bamboo |
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Shamisen |
三味線 | Traditional Japanese three string instrument |
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Shibai- e |
芝居絵 | Scene of the Kabuki play |
| Shichigosan | 七五三 | The ceremony of coming of age for seven, five and three years, celebrated on 15th Nov |
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Shikishi- e |
色紙絵 | Lit. square shaped picture, name of a format |
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Shin hanga |
新版画 | Modern print |
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Shini- e |
死に絵 | Obituary portrait of a famous person |
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Shinto |
神道 | Japanese ancient religion |
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Shochikubai |
松竹梅 | Triad of bamboo, pine tree and plum tree, known as three friends of winter. Auspicious symbol in poetry and paintings common for Asian cultural region |
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Shodou |
書道 | Way of calligraphy |
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Shogatsu |
正月 | New Year’s day |
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Sho- ga |
書画 | Calligraphy with an image |
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Shogi |
将棋
|
Japanese chess |
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Shogun |
将軍 | General, military director of Bakufu, equivalent of an admiral |
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Shoji |
障子 | Wooden framed slid door with Japanese paper screen |
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Shun- ga |
春画 | Erotic image |
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Sumi- e |
墨絵 | Ink painting |
| Sumida | 隅田 | Pottery produced at the turn of 19 and 20th centuries in Tokyo |
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Sumo |
相撲 | Traditional Japanese wrestling |
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Sumo- e |
相撲絵 | Portrait of a Sumo wrestler |
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Surimono |
刷り物 | Seasonal calligraphy with an adequate image. Very limited edition, usually personal message from the author to his benefactors or friends |
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Tanzaku- e |
短冊絵 | Long and slender shaped picture |
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Tera |
寺 | Buddhist Temple |
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Tenno |
天皇 | Emperor |
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Tabi |
足袋 | Japanese socks worn with kimono |
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Tanabata |
七夕 | The star festival marked by meeting Vega and Altair on the 7th of July |
| Tango no Sekku | 端午の節句 | The Boys Festival on 5th May |
| Tenugui | 手拭 | Japanese cotton towel, approximately 90cm x 35cm |
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Torii |
鳥居 | A gate built at the shrine entrance signifying a sacred area |
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Tsukimi |
月見 | Viewing of the moon |
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Tsuba |
鐔 | Sword guard |
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Uchiwa |
団扇 | Rounded paper fan on a bamboo frame |
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Uchiwa- e |
団扇絵 | Design of a round fan |
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Ukiyo-e |
浮世絵 | Lit. images of the floating world, traditional Japanese woodblock prints |
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Urushi |
漆 | Japanese lacquer work |
| Umibozu | 海坊主 | Ocean monster destroys ships |
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Wagasa |
和傘 | Japanese umbrella made of paper on a bamboo frame |
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Watashi-bune |
渡し船 | A ferry boat |
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Waraji |
草鞋 | Traditional Japanese footwear made of straw rope |
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Yakusha- e |
役者絵 | Portrait of a Kabuki actor |
| Yamashiro | 山城 | Ancient Kyoto prefecture |
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Yamato |
大和 | Nara prefecture, also, an ancient name of Japan |
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Yukaku |
遊郭 | Red light district |
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Yoshiwara |
吉原 | Pleasure quarter in Edo |
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Zori |
草履 | Traditional Japanese footwear |