Glossary of Japanese Terms
Remember that these English versions are phonetic spellings of Japanese words - and that the Japanese language has sounds and inflections not found in English :) It is all approximate.
Cha-no-yu - The tea ceremony, where every movement, utensil, and detail of the room has spiritual significance.
Daimyo - Feudal warlord / nobility, controlled a number of samurai warriors.
Emperor - the Emperor's line traces back to the 600s and before. The Emperor is the ruler of all of Japan.
Ikki - Farming or merchant cooperative, sort of like a union. Designed to help strengthen peasant rights in situations of taxes and bargaining.
Kobukson - "turtle ships" - a form of primitive submarine. The boats were coated in metal and had large spikes pointing out from their sides.
Ninja - Mostly trained in the Iga province, Ninja were secretive assassins that were hired by soldiers for speciality work. Several shogun used groups of ninja to maintain their security.
Samurai - Samurai were loyal warriors who dedicated their lives to the protection and honor of their Daimyo. Samurai were responsible for blocks of land, and drew their income from the peasants who worked that land.
Shogun - The shogun was the military ruler of Japan. Theoretically the shogun reported to the Emperor, but in many time periods it was the shogun who had actual control.
Shoji - Thin rice paper which is connected to wooden frames. In many homes, this serves as the walls. The wall is obviously not very secure, but when one of the frequent earthquakes happen, it means the inhabitants of the home are not harmed and that the house is easy to rebuild.
Tatami - This standard rectangle sized mat is the traditional flooring in Japan. Rooms are often measured by the number of tatami used on the floor. In Japan people do not wear shoes into a room, becuase the tatami will be unnecessarily dirtied.
Master List of Japanese Articles
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