preceptor or high priest (esp. in Zen or Pure Land Buddhism); preceptor or high priest (in Tendai or Kegon Buddhism); preceptor or high priest (in Shingon, Hosso, Ritsu or Shin Buddhism); second highest priestly rank in Buddhism; monk (esp. the head monk of a temple); master (of one's art, trade, etc.)
preceptor or high priest (esp. in Zen or Pure Land Buddhism); second highest priestly rank in Buddhism; monk (esp. the head monk of a temple); master (of one's art, trade, etc.)
Son of God; child of an emperor
miko; shrine maiden; young girl or woman (trad. an unmarried virgin) who assists priests at shrines; medium; sorceress; shamaness
off-shoot; noble (family) sibling
gentle breeze; soft wind; breath of air; zephyr
niche or alcove for an image; (in Okinawa) portable shrine used to move a deceased from their house to the graveyard
personal ornament (adorned with gemstones, and usu. worn by the nobility in ancient India or adorning Buddhist statues); necklace; diadem; moulded decoration hanging from the edges of a Buddhist canopy, gables, etc.
fearfully; timidly; nervously; cautiously; gingerly
fusuma; Japanese sliding screen
taking one's children along (to an event, into a new marriage, etc.); parent with child
pleased to make your acquaintance
phew; whew; huff; whoo; wohoo
smiling; beaming; radiant; bright; cheerful
everyday garment worn by nobles in ancient Japan; silk dried after having been washed in plain water and stretched out
greeting; a fine thing to say
to place both hands on the ground (to express respect, apology or to present a request)
shellfish; seashell; shell
to tie; to bind; to bear (fruit); to close (e.g. deal); to confirm; to connect (two distant places); to close tightly
boy with untied hair (before his coming-of-age ceremony); appearance of a boy with untied hair
boy with untied hair (before his coming-of-age ceremony); appearance of a boy with untied hair
frequently; often; (staring) fixedly; narrowly; closely
table; desk; counter for tables, desks, etc.; offering table before an altar (sometimes used in tea ceremony); tabletop incense burner
copper (Cu); bronze (medal)
summoning; calling; riding; (high-quality) silk crepe (fabric)
steward; butler; court official; deacon (Anglican, Lutheran, etc.)
Takamatsu (city in Kagawa)
to place both hands on the ground (to express respect, apology or to present a request)
Zen monk's early morning meal; refreshment; cakes; simple Chinese food; dim sum
changing (job, career, lifestyle, social position, beliefs, etc.)
tray; family; household; O-Bon; Bon Festival; gambler's den
white paper; flyleaf; blank paper; clean slate; lack of prior opinion, positions, etc.; scratch
in addition; furthermore; above (which); on top of (which)
red and white; colours for festive or auspicious occasions (colors); two teams; two groups; Kōhaku Uta Gassen; annual contest between male and female popular singers on New Year's Eve (sponsored and broadcast by NHK)
floral pattern; flourish; ornament; star (actor, player, etc.)
Heian-period pastry made of duck or goose eggs mixed with vegetables boiled and wrapped in mochi which is then cut into squares
to serve (in a bowl, on a plate, etc.); to dish out; to pile up; to heap up; to administer (medicine, poison); to dose out; to put into (e.g. information in a report, meaning in a statement)
classical elegance; antiquity
device; instrument; vessel; container; ability; capacity
bowl; vessel; container; ability; capacity; calibre
green; emerald green; green color of new foliage; verdure
to offer; to sacrifice; to dedicate
bowl; vessel; container; ability; capacity; calibre
aroma; fragrance; scent; smell