Bajutsu: a Japanese martial art involving mounted warfare in combination with care and management of horses.
Bo: a long wooden staff weapon used for martial arts, usually about six feet in length. The length and type of wood may vary.
Bojutsu: the study of the bo
Bokken: a wooden katana used for training
Bushi: warrior
Engawa or En: a strip of deck without tatami mats that runs outside the shoji but inside the storm doors, creating a small walkway often used to connect buildings. In this story, itโs used interchangeably with โveranda.โ
Fusuma: a large wooden panel that is often used to divide a room, serving as a portable wall that can be moved around if needed. Historically trees, mountains, and animals are painted onto them.
Geta: traditional Japanese footwear resembling sandals with two โteethโ on the bottom to create a raised platform
Genkan: an entryway leading into a house, traditionally used to remove oneโs shoes before entering a house
Goza: a mat woven from reeds often used to sleep on
Haori: a long-sleeved jacket worn over a kimono that usually ends mid-thigh
Hakama: traditional Japanese pants worn over a kimono, made well-known by the samurai. There are many types of hakama, including formal and casual ones, as well as traveling hakama that even farmers and merchants wore.
Jinmaku: banners or โwar curtainsโ that are erected in camp to create privacy, often bearing the lordโs kamon
Kata: a sword technique or move
Katana: a long, curved sword held with two hands
Kami: traditionally in Japanese culture, this word roughly translates to gods or spirits. In the context of this series, kami is referenced as a connection to nature, similar to Shinto beliefs or the Tao from Taoism. The positive and negative energy that exists in the world is neither good nor bad, drawing from the connectedness of all life. One could think of the Skills as kami or the Tao.
Kamon: a symbol of a town or lord
Kimono: a traditional Japanese robe
Kyudo: a style of Japanese archery
Kunai: a long, leaf-shaped blade attached to a handle with a ring on the end. A kunai is a multifunctional tool that can be used for climbing walls, stabbing, or thrusting during combat. It can also be used for digging or be thrown as a projectile weapon.
Naginata: a long pole arm with a sharp blade on the end
Nikuman: pork bun
Obi: a sash tied around the waist used to carry the katana or tanto
Okatte: kitchen
Ono: a Japanese axe with a long handle
Onigiri: a triangular-shaped rice ball
Ronin: a wandering samurai. In the context of this series, ronin is used in a broader way to mean โwarrior without a master.โ
Tameshigiri: practice that originally started as a means to test a swordโs strength but is now mostly used to test the userโs skill as they cut through objects such as bamboo or rolled goza
Tanto: a small sword or dagger often carried in the obi
Toro: a Japanese lantern that is usually made of stone but can be made of other natural materials like wood. Toro are traditionally found in Buddhist temples to light pathways. In the context of this story, they are used mostly in the gardens to light pathways and roads.
Tatami: a woven mat made of rush grass that is used to cover the floors of traditional Japanese homes
Samurai: an elite warrior whose name means โto serve.โ In the historical sense, a samurai was a warrior who served a lord (Authorโs note: Please see the explanation of why the Shadows are not samurai in the beginning of the book, as I have taken many liberties.)
Shinobi: another name for a ninja or spy
Shoji: a door, window, or divider with a lattice frame covered in translucent paper to allow light to pass through. Traditionally shoji slide open on grooves set into the ground
Suburi: repetitive sword movements used for training
Wakizashi: a slightly curved sword shorter than a katana but longer than a tanto
Waraji: sandals typically made from straw that are tied around a personโs foot and ankle
I'm building a glossary with images and illustrations to help transport you to the Land of Hope. I hope to create a series that is accessible to all readers (not just those who are familiar with the Japanese culture), which is why I'm dedicate to bringing the story to life through visuals and explanations of words and phrases you might not be familiar with.
Please note: some of these definitions I've specifically tailored to work with my series. Some of them may differ slightly in terms of how they're used. If you need any books on Japanese culture (or samurai and ninja) feel free to contact me. I have dozens.
Currently under construction.