honorific/polite/humble prefix; honorific suffix
defense; defence; safeguard; protection
control (of a machine, device, etc.); control (over an opponent, one's emotions, etc.); governing; management
(your) business; (your) concern; (customer's) order; official business (of the government, Imperial Court, etc.); arrest; capture
coachman; driver; cabman; postilion
I'm sorry; my apologies; may I come in?; permission; leave; dismissal
presence (of a nobleman, the emperor, etc.); outrider (person riding horseback in the lead position of a cavalcade); My Lord; My Lady
your will; your pleasure; your wish; certainly; as you say; you are quite right
another's parent; another's parents
friend; ally; supporter; taking sides with; supporting; standing by
your body; your health; yourself; you
purveyor (to the Imperial Household, etc.); company (or restaurant, place, etc.) that caters to or is popular with a specific clientele
personage; person (deserving of respect)
thanks; gratitude; manners; etiquette; bow; reward
(another's) spirit; God's heart or spirit; Lord's will
feast; treating (someone); to treat (someone, e.g. to a meal)
(please) try to; (please) look; seeing; looking
son of a distinguished family; son of a noble
knowing; (an) acquaintance
your company; your shrine
Son of God; child of an emperor
to drive (e.g. horse, carriage); to control; to manage
honorific/polite/humble prefix
tedious talk; impertinent talk; repetitious talk; saucy speech; pretentious statement
imperial palace (esp. Kyoto Imperial Palace); imperial residence; residence of a shogun, minister, etc.; emperor; ex-emperor; empress
dismissal; firing; retirement; being relieved from one's post; being relieved of a burden
trouble (I have put you through); (your) hard work; thank you for your hard work; I appreciate your efforts
death (of an emperor); demise
humour; humor; safety; health; in a good mood; in high spirits
(please) look; see; (please) try to do
enshrinement hall (of a buddha); temple; cathedral (esp. Catholic)
knowing; (an) acquaintance
emperor (of Japan); mikado; (the gates of an) imperial residence
fairy tale; fairy story; nursery tale
out of control; uncontrollable
leading figure; influential figure; mogul
grace (of God); divine favour; benefit; efficacy
your husband; her husband
himself; yourself; herself
errand; mission; messenger; bearer; familiar spirit
(received) favor, kindness or blessing (favour)
spirit of a deceased person; the Holy Ghost; the Holy Spirit
contraband; taboo; strictly forbidden
I'm sorry; my apologies; excuse me; pardon me
hand; arm; handwriting; penmanship; 'shake' (command to have a dog place its paw in your hand)
greeting; a fine thing to say
to see; to look; to watch; to try to
(your) daughter; young woman
trouble; bother; annoyance
honorific affix; honorific prefix
master; Your lordship; My lord; husband
divine spirit; spirit of the dead
guidance; leading (the way); information; notice; announcement (of one's arrival); invitation
three branch Tokugawa families (Owari, Kii, and Mito); big three; top three
(your) words; what you say; what you have said; a few words (of welcome, advice, etc.)
game (contest) held in the presence of a lord (daimyo, shogun)
control room; control booth
portable shrine (carried in festivals); palanquin; buttocks; lower back
(somebody else's) parents; both parents
not writing or contacting for a while; neglecting (failing) to write (call, visit, etc.); long silence
lower-ranking vassal in the Kamakura and Edo periods
to drive (e.g. horse, carriage); to control; to manage
to receive permission; to leave (with someone's permission); to retire; to refuse; to beg off doing
how do you do?; nice to meet you; adieu; farewell; bon voyage
shintai; object of worship believed to contain the spirit of a deity, typically housed in a shrine
to receive permission; to leave (with someone's permission); to retire; to refuse; to beg off doing
your home; your family; their home; (my) home
fate; chance; relationship; tie
easy to deal with; easily manageable; tractable; malleable
Onbashira Festival; log-dragging festival held once every six years in Suwa, Nagano
spirit of a deceased person; the Holy Ghost; the Holy Spirit
meal; Emperor's meal; meal of a noble; high-quality (of a food or drink); premium
to be treated to a meal; to be given a meal
girl; young (unmarried) woman
(Okinawa) sacred site; sacred grove
(another's) daughter; young lady (of pampered upbringing); woman who has never known hardship; naive woman
font of purifying water placed at the entrance of a shrine
august (in ref. to the emperor or the gods); imperial; divine
the rounds of tradesmen going door to door; route man; door-to-door tradesman; thief taker; secret policeman
(another person's) younger sister
thank you for your hard work; I appreciate your efforts
All Seats Sold, Thank You; full house; sell-out crowd
purveyor (to the government or Imperial Household)
your native country; your hometown; my home country (i.e. Japan); countryside; country; (arch.) daimyo's territory (Edo period)
a woman's natural inclination to care for others; big-sisterly disposition
babysitting; babysitter; taking care of; assisting; assistant
grace (of God); benevolence (of Buddha); assistance; help; effects; influence
polite; courteous; careful; close; overly courteous; overly careful
inviting another to one's home, office, etc.; (lit.) the trouble of coming (going)
you (when referring to one's equals or inferiors)
fairy tale; fairy story; nursery tale
exaggerated; extravagant; overdone
staff with plaited paper streamers
attending (upon); keeping another company
request; favour (to ask); wish; please
you; presence (of a god, nobleman, etc.)
may I come in?; please forgive me; I'm sorry
wife (esp. of a prominent, recently married man)
sacred wine or sake; sake offered to the gods
thank you for your hard work; I appreciate your efforts
errand; mission; messenger; bearer; familiar spirit
going out (of a nobleman, etc.); visiting
name of God (esp. in Christian contexts); name of Christ
had enough; flatly refusing; wouldn't do for anything; begging pardon
to receive permission; to leave (with someone's permission); to retire; to refuse; to beg off doing
(arch.) person of high rank; (arch.) nobleman; wife of a nobleman
thanks to ...; owing to ...; because of ...
tea (usu. green); tea break (at work); tea ceremony
Imperial standard; (fig.) worthy cause
imperial visit; imperial outing
son of a distinguished family; son of a noble
abode (of a nobleman or emperor); Imperial chamber
starting afresh; going back to square one; abandoning (e.g. a plan); clearing an abacus
(another person's) nephew
attention; notice; care; caution; advice; warning
temple; monk's quarters; monk
wife of a shogun or a highest-ranking nobleman
licensed; chartered; officially allowed; legitimate
another's parent; another's parents
story; tale; talk; discussion
evening meal; dinner; supper
had enough; flatly refusing; wouldn't do for anything; begging pardon
Sun Goddess; Amaterasu Ōmikami
to see; to look; to watch
confections; sweets; candy; cake
(another's respected) father
principal object of worship at a temple (usu. a buddha or bodhisattva); principal image; idol; the man himself; the person at the heart of the matter
how kind of you; that's very nice of you; kindly
don't worry; no worries; never mind
the Emperor; His Majesty; the government; the authorities; proprietress; hostess
splendid; fine; handsome; elegant; imposing; prominent
near; close; beside; attendant; retainer; vassal
(another's) daughter; young lady
cooperation; collaboration
you are quite right; reasonable; natural; just
sacred wine or sake; sake offered to the gods; sake
eye; eyes; sight; vision; looking
bride; one's daughter-in-law
retainer; attendant; escort
elder sister; effeminate man
(someone else's) child; child; kid
I appreciate your efforts
to meet (someone of higher status); (arch.) to be recognized (esp. by someone of higher status); (arch.) to be visible; (arch.) to be seen
thank you (for the meal); that was a delicious meal; thank you (for displaying lovey-dovey behaviour)
personage; person (deserving of respect)
spy working for the Edo shogunate; oniwaban
emperor's arrival (at his office, etc.)
don't worry about it; there is nothing to fear; there is no need for anxiety; everything is under control
doctor to a shogun or daimyo (Edo period)
type of household amulet or talisman, issued by a Shinto shrine, hung in the house for protection
worry; care; consideration
your house; your home; your husband; your organization; you
siblings; brothers and sisters
audience (with a person of high standing)
to receive permission; to leave (with someone's permission); to retire; to refuse; to beg off doing
head; brains; intelligence
shelving (a play, movie, etc.); closing down; cancelling; rice storehouse of the Edo shogunate
manager; steward; person next in rank to the chief retainer and in charge of general management and accounting in a samurai family (Edo period)
to be much obliged (to someone); to receive favor (favour); to be indebted; to be grateful
wife of a shogun or a highest-ranking nobleman
grace (of God); benevolence (of Buddha); assistance; help; effects; influence
letter bearing the shogun's scarlet seal; seal stamp given to worshippers and visitors to shrines and temples
story; tale; talk; discussion
Son of God; Jesus Christ; child of an emperor
money; coin; dough; moolah; brass
concubine of an emperor; female court attendant who serves in the emperor's bedchamber
summoning; calling; riding; (high-quality) silk crepe (fabric)
babysitting; babysitter; taking care of; assisting; assistant
contacting; getting in touch; communication; call; message
opportunism; double standards; timeserving; expediency
father; dad; husband; you; he
leaving; going home; quitting one's job; free time; leisure
declining; refusal; rejection; announcement; notice
courtesy call; courtesy visit
imperial seal; privy seal
central control room; main control room
going out (of a nobleman, etc.); visiting
cemetery guard; crematorium worker
entertainment; amusement; fun
thanks to ...; owing to ...; because of ...
hard to control; unmanageable
portable shrine (carried in festivals); buttocks; lower back; waist
waiting woman in a shogun or daimyo's palace
bento; Japanese box lunch
(the privilege to have) an audience (with one's lord, a dignitary, etc.); interview (with one's superior); one's debut (first) appearance; debut (of a new product, work of art, actor, etc.); trial service (of a servant)
exorcism rite; purification
control circuit; controlling circuit
local specialty or souvenir bought as a gift while travelling; present brought by a visitor; something unpleasant that one is given (e.g. an illness while on vacation); unwelcome gift
official notice; Edo-period proclamation issued by the shogunate (or a daimyo, etc.) usu. to the general populace
the spoken words of the emperor or a noble
poem or song written by the emperor
return gift; return favour (favor); revenge; change (in a cash transaction)
kagura (esp. when performed at the imperial palace)
place where the sacred palanquin is lodged during a festival
three secondary Tokugawa branch families (Tayasu, Shimizu, and Hitotsubashi)
the Lord's name (esp. in Christianity)
calling on someone who is ill; enquiry; inquiry
acknowledgement; acknowledgment; understanding (e.g. "please be understanding of the mess during our renovation"); noting
promise; agreement; arrangement; something expected or predictable (e.g. running gag); typical or clichéd development (in a story); something considered obligatory or guaranteed (in a certain situation)
thank you for the meal; that was a delicious meal; what a wonderful meal
family trouble (quarrel); domestic squabble; internal squabble (over headship rights) in a daimyo family in the Edo period
shelving (a play, movie, etc.); closing down; cancelling; rice storehouse of the Edo shogunate
a woman's natural inclination to care for others; big-sisterly disposition
unveiling; debut; introduction
congratulation; congratulations; celebration; congratulatory gift; present
(your) judgment; discernment
as is usual with; in common with
tatami room; dinner party in a tatami room with a geisha or maiko
in a bad temper; cranky; crabby
light used as a religious offering; paper lantern (hung up near the door of performers and geishas)
your home; your family; their home; (my) home
bill (e.g. at a restaurant); check
land under the control of the imperial household or the shogunate
princess; spoiled girl; hothouse flower; glue
having no thought for; having no consideration for; disregarding; overlooking; (arch.) being found not guilty (in an Edo-period court); (arch.) acquittal
transferral of a sacred object from its place of enshrinement; imperial procession
body of Christ (Eucharist)
this place; where one comes from; here
princess; spoiled girl; hothouse flower; glue
it's none of your business; it's not your concern
to wheedle a person into doing something; to carry a portable shrine
dignitaries; very important persons; VIPs
guest; visitor; customer; client; shopper
call; visit; inquiry; enquiry; question
right of samurai to kill commoners for perceived affronts (Edo period)
easy to deal with; easily manageable; tractable; malleable
hard to control; unmanageable
a question from the emperor
doctor to a shogun or daimyo (Edo period)
coming; going; being (somewhere); come; go; stay
maid; helper; help; assistance
holiday; day off; sleep; rest; Good night
halo (optical phenomenon); glory
reign of an emperor of Japan
notice or order handed down from above; announcement; notification; Edo-period proclamation issued by the shogunate (or a daimyo, etc.) to the concerned parties
Censorate (Later Han and Song-dynasty surveillance agency)
portable shrine (carried in festivals); buttocks; lower back; waist
chaperoning; monitoring someone's behaviour; watchdog; chaperone; watcher
another helping; second helping; seconds; command to have dog place its second paw in one's hand
(someone else's) daughter
mausoleum; shrine; the (imperial) court
common; in the usual course
dismissal; firing; retirement; being relieved from one's post; being relieved of a burden
asking; enquiring; searching; looking for
to ask the opinion of (a superior)
image (esp. of a deity, buddha, royal, noble, etc.)
thankfully; fortunately; luckily; thanks to your (his, their, everyone's, etc.) kindness; thanks to your assistance; thanks to your support
ceremony to appease evil gods and the spirits of the dead
room in Edo castle where the shogun's council of elders attended to governmental affairs
the end; closing; being done for; that's it; that's enough; that's all
meddling; meddlesomeness; nosiness; meddler; buttinsky; busybody
to meet (someone of higher status); (arch.) to be recognized (esp. by someone of higher status); (arch.) to be visible; (arch.) to be seen
gate for important persons; gate of honor
(the privilege to have) an audience (with one's lord, a dignitary, etc.); interview (with one's superior); one's debut (first) appearance; debut (of a new product, work of art, actor, etc.); trial service (of a servant)
imperial portrait; photograph of the incumbent Emperor and Empress distributed to schools between 1890 and the end of the Second World War; portrait or photo of a person of high rank
pilgrim's song; pilgrim's hymn; song in praise of the Buddha
sunrise viewed from the top of a high mountain; the rising sun
please be careful; please take care
fairyland; never-never land
fortune slip (usu. bought at a shrine)
(giving) birth; childbirth; delivery; confinement
your acquaintance; people who know
(arch.) leader of a nobleman's cavalcade; animal messenger of the gods (i.e. a fox)
right of samurai to kill commoners for perceived affronts (Edo period)
touching a wrong card (in karuta); buzzing too early (in a quiz); making a mistress of a servant; mistress (who is one's servant)
(Okinawa) sacred site; sacred grove
presence; appearance; attendance; visit; going out
festival; feast; carnival
near; close; beside; attendant; retainer; vassal
music playing in imperial court
one's business; reading of scriptures before a (statue of) Buddha; bargain; discount; (arch.) money paid to a prostitute or geisha
Edo-period proclamation issued by the shogunate (or a daimyo, etc.) usu. to the general populace
upaya (skillful means, methods of teaching); convenience; suitability; availability
calling on someone who is ill; enquiry; inquiry
advisor; adviser (to a lord, etc.); wise counselor allowed to speak to a lord without restraint
scholar beholden to the government; self-serving academic; scholar who toadies up to government authorities
wild ginger trefoil coat of arms of the Tokugawa clan
may I come in?; please forgive me; I'm sorry
economical; bargain; good value; good-value
toilet; restroom; lavatory; bathroom
your place; place where you live
beside a nobleman; close aid (of a nobleman, etc.); place where a high ranking person resides; one's own city (of a shogun, lord, etc.); place under one's direct control; one's own turf
as is usual with; in common with
setting the table; laying the table; setting up; getting one's ducks in a row; running interference
mass Ise pilgrimage (occurring intermittently during the Edo period)
deified volcano or volcanic eruption
superiors; big shots; higher-ups; VIPs; dignitaries
oracle; revelation; divine message
ahead; before; the future
punishment; spanking; smacking; chastisement; scolding
receiving; welcoming; going to meet; final call; call of fate; approach of death
breakup (of a ceremony, wedding, party, meeting, etc.); closure
familiar; well-known; regular (e.g. customer); old stand-by
seeing through (a trick, someone's mind, etc.)
(geisha) teahouse; establishment where patrons are entertained by geisha
small dish (usu. one of several accompanying rice); side dish; fill; fill-in (drumming); jack-off material; something to masturbate to
lighted lamp (or candle, etc.) provided as a religious offering
round, wooden container for cooked rice
watchdog; chaperone; watcher
Nichiren chant; (an empty) slogan
pent roof built atop the stairs of a shrine or temple
by any standard; (not) even as flattery
king of the hill; king of the castle; king of the mountain
Imperial chrysanthemum emblem
emperor's return to the imperial palace
pro-government newspaper; newspaper that curries favour with the government
certificate; certified document; (the) thumbs up; seal of approval; paper with signature of the shogun or lord
tea-ceremony procedures; skill; dexterity; (arch.) you
manners; behavior; behaviour
making a person, pet, etc. wait (before being permitted to do something); postponement; putting on hold
fortune slip (usu. bought at a shrine)
hand-me-down; food offering to the gods; leftovers; trip from Kyoto to the provinces
not writing or contacting for a while; neglecting (failing) to write (call, visit, etc.); long silence
year-end gift; end of the year; year end
treasure; picture of a treasure ship; money; cash
visit (to a shrine, grave, etc.); worship
charge (e.g. admission, menu item); cost; price
cold (drinking) water; (glass of) cold water; cold boiled rice
control flow; flow of control
curtained sleeping platform in shinden-style residences (used by people of high rank)
something worshiped as a symbol for the spirit of the dead
rice ball coated with sweetened red beans, soybean flour or sesame
lowest-ranking guest at tea ceremony; tea master
Formulary of Adjudications (51-article Joei legal code)
festival; feast; carnival
grandmother; old woman; female senior citizen
next; next person; room adjoining a noble's parlor
leaving a decision to someone else (often of a meal to be selected by the chef); omakase
the end; closing; being done for; that's it; that's enough; that's all
pouring alcohol; person pouring alcohol for guests or customers (typically a woman); (apprentice) geisha; dancing girl
perfect; just right; ideal
the god of foodstuffs (esp. of rice)
(someone else's) child; child; kid
Brocken spectre; Brocken bow
being busy with many things; extreme busyness due to pressure of business
New Year (esp. first three days); first month of the year; January
sharing with others what has been given to you; sharing a portion of the profit with others
lunch; noon; midday; daytime; waking up; getting up
congratulation; congratulations; celebration; congratulatory gift; present
special; auspicious; happy; naive; innocent; good-natured
appetizer; starter; hors d'oeuvre
attack as a form of defense; attacking (active) defense
Jersey cudweed (species of cottonweed, Gnaphalium affine)
cremated remains (esp. the bones); ashes
thankfully; fortunately; luckily; thanks to your (his, their, everyone's, etc.) kindness; thanks to your assistance; thanks to your support
skewered sweet rice cakes served with soy sauce and miso
travelling incognito (traveling); special palanquin for carrying a daimyo or his wife incognito
to die; to decease; to perish; to pass away
encouragement; urging; spurring on
to like; to prefer; to be pleased by
oden; dish of various ingredients, e.g. egg, daikon, potato, chikuwa, konnyaku, etc. stewed in soy-flavored dashi
person who gets easily elated (when praised, etc.); person who readily chimes in with others; person who gets carried away easily
Hamaguri Gomon incident (1864 clash between pro and anti-shogunate forces)
court of law in the Edo period, in which the parties sat on white sand
please take care of yourself; please be careful not to... (concerning one's health or well-being)
personal meeting (esp. used by females)
the end; closing; being done for; that's it; that's enough; that's all
O-Bon; Obon; Bon Festival; tray
theme chosen for an imperial poetry contest
having no thought for; having no consideration for; disregarding; overlooking; (arch.) being found not guilty (in an Edo-period court); (arch.) acquittal
you are quite right; quite so; what you say is sensible enough
as is usual with; in common with
Asplenium antiquum (species of spleenwort); Dendropanax trifidus (species of flowering plant); leaves used for serving or offering sake, rice, etc.
smartly dressed; stylish; someone smartly dressed; to dress up; to be fashionable
privy seal; imperial seal
alms-giving; charity; offerings (usu. money) to a priest (for reading sutras, etc.); financially supporting one's favorite celebrity (by buying merchandise, attending events, etc.)
road for persons of high rank
graceful; ladylike; modest; gentle; polite; quiet
summoning; calling; riding; (high-quality) silk crepe (fabric)
perfunctory; apathetic; makeshift; slapdash; routine; usual
mutually; with each other; reciprocally; together; both
baggage; luggage; burden; albatross around one's neck; excess baggage
grandmother; old woman; female senior citizen
failing to recognize someone; underestimation
self-aggrandizement under pretense of aiding another (aggrandisement, pretence)
death of important person (e.g. prince, princess, cabinet minister)
field of flowers; flower garden; flower bed; field of alpine flowers
water; (drinking) water; night entertainment business; nightlife worker; racy; titillating
being postponed; being shelved; being put on hold; putting in storage; thing put in storage
guest; visitor; customer; client; shopper
telephone call; telephone (device)
thanks for taking care of me; thanks for taking care of my loved one
being together; going together; matching (clothing); going together
Japanese style of calligraphy based on the gyōsho style popular in the Edo period
soup containing rice cakes and vegetables (New Year's dish)
Auriga (constellation); the Charioteer
light used as a religious offering; paper lantern (hung up near the door of performers and geishas)
covering used to wrap a baby
rice seasoned and cooked with various ingredients
change (for a purchase); toilet splashback
beside a nobleman; close aid (of a nobleman, etc.); place where a high ranking person resides; one's own city (of a shogun, lord, etc.); place under one's direct control; one's own turf
good-naturedness; good-natured person; credulous person; easy mark
poem written by the Emperor or a member of the imperial family
last drink (of sake); last glass; last cup
right of samurai to kill commoners for perceived affronts (Edo period)
please be careful; please take care
before the spirit of the deceased
onigiri; rice ball (often triangular, sometimes with a filling and wrapped in nori)
compliments; civilities; hospitality; special treatment; bill (at a restaurant); check
visiting a shrine or temple to give thanks; settling scores
entertainment; hospitality; banishment (Edo period)
casserole of rice, fish or meat, and vegetables
decorations; offerings; mere window dressing
command language; control language
favorite; favourite; pet (e.g. teacher's pet); bookmark (in web browser)
presence; appearance; attendance; visit; going out
none of your business!; don't bother me!; keep out of it!
year-end office closing (usu. Dec. 28)
tamago kake gohan; raw egg mixed with white rice, often seasoned with soy sauce
door separating the inner castle from the outer castle (Edo period)
river in which worshippers wash their hands (and rinse their mouth) prior to entering a shrine
uniforms supplied to employees; an allotment
thanks for taking care of me; thanks for taking care of my loved one
cake or snack served with tea
annual New Year's poetry reading (held at the Imperial Court)
good luck charm; uttered when using magic; abracadabra; presto
shogun-authorized trading vessel (authorised)
to withdraw from the presence (of the Emperor)
(arch.) grandchild of Amaterasu (i.e. Ninigi no Mikoto); descendant of Amaterasu; person of imperial lineage; emperor
blood of Christ (Eucharist)
thin rice porridge; watery cooked rice; rice gruel; congee
arrival (of the emperor, etc.)
gently; mildly; leniently; don't be too hard on me (us, them); go easy on me
comical (story, song); comic; the comedy business (rakugo, manzai, etc.); something laughable
ochazuke; rice with tea poured on it
older sister; elder sister; young lady; miss; ma'am; older girl
departure; leaving; starting; standing
fortune slip (usu. bought at a shrine)
thanks (for coming, helping, etc.); glad you could make it; tiredness; fatigue
brow; forehead; prominent forehead; beetle brow; not catching anything (in fishing)
automatic controller; servo
it's my turn; the ball is in my court; it's up to me
beanbag; beanbag juggling game; bobbling the ball
cooked rice with added ingredients (meat, vegetables, etc.)
bedpan; chamber pot; potty
grandmother; old woman; female senior citizen
Charter Oath (of the Meiji Emperor); Five-Point Imperial Covenant; Imperial Oath of Five Articles
one's specialty; one's forte; specialty of a kabuki school
It's a piece of cake; It's a simple task; It's a cinch
Buddha; Shakyamuni; the historical Buddha (5th c. BCE?)
all-night vigil over a body; wake
recommendation; advice; suggestion; encouragement
glutinous rice steamed with red beans or some other ingredient; (arch.) trickery; (arch.) deception
ladle; tadpole; musical note
let's see what you've got; show me what you've got
... and Company; Messrs; for the attention of ...
excuse me for interrupting you when you are so busy
(for the) first time; something used (worn, etc.) for the first time; new item; first of the season (crop, fruit, etc.)
cinch; pushover; easy matter; light snack; cake served with tea
usual; normal; stereotyped
please don't fuss over me; don't go to any trouble; don't bother
don't complain until the job is finished; the end crowns the work
barking up the wrong tree; calling at the wrong house
thank you for your hard work; good work; see you; goodbye; goodnight
broth; soup (esp. miso soup)
communication control unit
road for persons of high rank
(high-quality) silk crepe (fabric)
(Nichiren Buddhism) memorial service for Nichiren (13th day of 10th month)
scolding; telling-off; rebuke; lecture
presence; appearance; attendance; visit; going out
entertainment; amusement; fun
lord; nobleman; daimyō; dignitary; master
courtesy call; courtesy visit
another helping; second helping; seconds; command to have dog place its second paw in one's hand
one's parents' home; one's origins; one's upbringing; one's past
northern groundcone (Boschniakia rossica)
right of samurai to kill commoners for perceived affronts (Edo period)
grandmother; old woman; female senior citizen
sleepover; overnight stay
well-matched (esp. of a couple); becoming; suitable
regular customer; valued client
delivery (of a package, goods, etc.)
grandfather; male senior-citizen
to visit repeatedly (to request)
lighted lamp (or candle, etc.) provided as a religious offering
mid-year gift; summer gift
pot; volcanic crater; (one's) buttocks; male homosexual; effeminate man
freebie (e.g. with a purchase); something additional; price reduction; discount; exaggeration
the founder of our sect (esp. in reference to Nichiren)
pot; volcanic crater; (one's) buttocks; male homosexual; effeminate man
carrying a person in one's arms; princess carry; bridal carry
silly person; dumb-bunny; dope
son (of others); boy; young master; green young man from a well-to-do family; young man innocent of the ways of the world
poor; unsatisfactory; inadequate; cold; chilly
osechi; food eaten during the New Year's Holidays
Kyoto area festival held on the 11th lunar month (wherein bonfires are burned at shrines)
Ōgosho period (between the Kansei Reforms and the Tempo Reforms, approx. 1787-1843)
water-drawing ceremony (performed at Tōdaiji on March 13); rite of drawing sacred water
New Year's gift (usu. money given to a child by relatives and visitors)
very common way of tying a woman's kimono sash
little something; reward; tip
merchant house employee; tradesman
device control character (e.g. DC1)
used article (esp. clothes)
one's favourite party trick (favorite); one's specialty; one's forte
that's too bad; too bad for you!
a non-samurai being granted the privilege of wearing a sword (during the Edo period)
automatic train control; ATC
osechi; osechi-ryōri; traditional food eaten during the New Year's holidays
personal (employee); employed; retained
gift received from a visitor (usu. used when offering the visitor to partake of part of that gift)
departure (of the emperor, etc.)
any god of foodstuffs; Uka-no-Mitama (god of rice)
one's speciality; one's forte; one's strong point
poorly made article; defective article; Gautama Buddha
one person; one customer; unmarried and childless older woman
ridged cracks that form in the ice on Lake Suwa
discarding; firing (an employee)
sitting between the host and guest of honour at a drinking party (honor); companion
passing away; dying; death
economical; bargain; good value; good-value
call; visit; inquiry; enquiry; question
skewered rice dumplings in a sweet soy glaze
display of dolls during Hinamatsuri; Hinamatsuri (March 3); Girls' Festival; Dolls' Festival
dismissal; firing; retirement; being relieved from one's post; being relieved of a burden
(Japanese) imperial succession
have a pass to; have access to
hand-me-down; food offering to the gods; leftovers; trip from Kyoto to the provinces
bureaucratic routine; red tape
congratulations!; well done!; best wishes!; all the best!
being done for; giving up; being in a hopeless situation; not knowing what to do; being brought to one's knees; (lit.) throwing up (one's) hands
lecture (i.e. an admonishment); sermon
guest; visitor; customer; client; shopper
let's see what you've got; show me what you've got
hundred times worship (e.g. walking back and forth a hundred times before a shrine offering a prayer each time)
glorious reign of the Emperor
tearjerker; sob story; maudlin tale
changing one's clothes; a change of clothes
festival merrymaking; revelry
policeman; cop; walking in a circle (dog trick); (arch.) rounds (doctor, police beat, etc.); (arch.) vegetables that accompany rice (secret language of court ladies)
dumpling cooked in miso served during the dog days of summer at the imperial court; (arch.) accompaniments for a rice dish; (arch.) wooden pestle; (arch.) menstrual period
fortune slip (usu. bought at a shrine)
right of samurai to kill commoners for perceived affronts (Edo period)
diaper; nappy; (arch.) swaddling clothes; (arch.) loincloth
please don't fuss over me; don't go to any trouble; don't bother
well-behaved (esp. children and pets); obedient; good
buttocks; lower back; waist; kimono underskirt
Kyoto-style side dish; meal of side dishes
pot; (arch.) typical name for a female servant in the Edo-period; working at night; female with symptoms of gender identity disorder (e.g. a transvestite)
pity; sympathy; compassion; affection; love
boiled greens in bonito-flavoured soy sauce (vegetable side dish)
it's nothing; don't mention it; no thanks necessary
grandmother; old woman; female senior citizen
chattering; talk; idle talk; chatty; talkative; chatterbox
kerchief worn by women in former times in Japan in cold weather, covering the whole head (except eyes)
annual ceremony of reciting the names of the Buddhas
before a Buddha or a mortuary tablet; offerings made to Buddha or placed on a mortuary tablet
happy-go-lucky person; dreamer; (lit.) intracranial flower garden
acquaintance; making someone's acquaintance
excuse me for disturbing (interrupting) you; greeting used when entering someone's home
wrapped offering (of money)
recommendation; advice; suggestion; encouragement
enjoyment; pleasure; diversion; amusement; hobby
money-saving feeling; bargain feeling
mochi cut thin, dried, and baked or fried
wearing one's hair in braids
honorific or polite prefix
re-opening of offices in New Year (usu. January 4)
making arbitrary decisions which benefit oneself; self-approved plan
privy purse; money used for private purposes by the members of the Imperial family
(arch.) court lady with her own private chamber or office; low-class prostitute (Edo period)
to make matters worse; besides; what's more; in addition; on top of that
any god of foodstuffs; Uka-no-Mitama (god of rice)
chaperoning; monitoring someone's behaviour; watchdog; chaperone; watcher
we are of equal status in this regard; we are in the same boat; the same to you; the feeling is mutual
about to start out; just about to leave or go out; outing; trip
impulse control disorder; ICD
association; socializing; socialising; fellowship
you are unquestionably right
imperial decree; imperial edict
son (of others); boy; young master; green young man from a well-to-do family; young man innocent of the ways of the world
I'm good, thanks; I'll stay out of this one
wandering jew (Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea'); purple secretia; purple-heart; purple queen
one's forte; strong point; specialty; speciality
shiruko made with strained red bean paste
senior female worker who supervises junior employees in a domineering fashion
pickled vegetables; pickles
sorry to bother you, but ...
someone who gets in the way without serving any useful purpose; fly in the ointment; buttinsky; third wheel
needlework; sewing; seamstress
tamago kake gohan; raw egg mixed with white rice, often seasoned with soy sauce
to come; to go; to be (somewhere); -ing
bedpan; chamber pot; potty
right of samurai to kill commoners for perceived affronts (Edo period)
Inari (god of harvests, wealth, fertility, etc.); Inari shrine; inarizushi (sushi wrapped in fried tofu); scrotum; testicle sack
Tsuchimikado Shinto (synthesis of Shinto and Onmyōdō formulated by Yasutomi Tsuchimikado in the mid-Edo period)
treating somebody to one delicious meal after the other
merchant's home (esp. used by apprentices, etc.); (your) rental home
grandfather; male senior-citizen
congratulations!; well done!; best wishes!; all the best!
(one's) older brother; lad; sonny
older sister; elder sister; young lady; miss; ma'am; older girl
older brother; elder brother; young man; buddy; fella
granny; grandma; gran; old lady; old woman
granny; grandma; gran; old lady; old woman
it's been a long time; long time no see
it's been a long time; long time no see
recommendation; advice; suggestion; encouragement
well-matched (esp. of a couple); becoming; suitable
errand; mission; messenger; bearer; familiar spirit
last drink (of sake); last glass; last cup
to take a bath; to have a bath; to take a shower
to see; to look; to watch; to try to
between-meal snack; mid-afternoon (around 3 o'clock) snack; afternoon refreshment; afternoon tea
ghost; apparition; goblin; monster; something unusually large
small dish (usu. one of several accompanying rice); side dish; fill; fill-in (drumming); jack-off material; something to masturbate to
begging; pestering; pleading; coaxing
unveiling; debut; introduction
standard; set; routine; decided
standard; set; routine; decided
sit down; sit up; Sit! (to a dog)
special; auspicious; happy; naive; innocent; good-natured
special; auspicious; happy; naive; innocent; good-natured
carrying a person in one's arms; princess carry; bridal carry
grandmother; old woman; female senior citizen
long-awaited; long-waited-for; someone who has waited a long time; something that one has waited impatiently for
long-awaited; long-waited-for; someone who has waited a long time; something that one has waited impatiently for
change (for a purchase); toilet splashback
okonomiyaki; savoury pancake containing meat or seafood and vegetables
okonomiyaki; savoury pancake containing meat or seafood and vegetables
one's speciality; one's forte; one's strong point
(next-door) neighbour; neighbor
rice cakes; pounded mochi rice
perfunctory; apathetic; makeshift; slapdash; routine; usual
festival merrymaking; revelry
oracle; revelation; divine message
son (of others); boy; young master; green young man from a well-to-do family; young man innocent of the ways of the world
well-behaved (esp. children and pets); obedient; good
well-behaved (esp. children and pets); obedient; good
bill (at a restaurant); check
fortune slip (usu. bought at a shrine)
watchdog; chaperone; watcher
dismissal; firing; retirement; being relieved from one's post; being relieved of a burden
wet towel (supplied at table); hot, moistened hand towel
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting
snack (to have with a drink); side dish
snack (to have with a drink); side dish
snack (to have with a drink); side dish
snack (to have with a drink); side dish
drawing; painting; doodling; sketching
drawing; painting; doodling; sketching
son (of others); boy; young master; green young man from a well-to-do family; young man innocent of the ways of the world
beside a nobleman; close aid (of a nobleman, etc.); place where a high ranking person resides; one's own city (of a shogun, lord, etc.); place under one's direct control; one's own turf
policeman; cop; walking in a circle (dog trick); (arch.) rounds (doctor, police beat, etc.); (arch.) vegetables that accompany rice (secret language of court ladies)
policeman; cop; walking in a circle (dog trick); (arch.) rounds (doctor, police beat, etc.); (arch.) vegetables that accompany rice (secret language of court ladies)
person sought by the police; wanted person; fugitive from justice
Buddhist priest; monk; son (of others)
to get change back; to be more than enough
exorcism rite; purification
august (in ref. to the emperor or the gods); imperial; divine
please sit down; please have a seat
boiled greens in bonito-flavoured soy sauce (vegetable side dish)
boiled greens in bonito-flavoured soy sauce (vegetable side dish)
dignitaries; very important persons; VIPs
cold (drinking) water; (glass of) cold water; cold boiled rice
bargain; good buy; budget
bargain; good buy; budget
wheat gluten (usu. steamed or baked)
wheat gluten (usu. steamed or baked)
failing to recognize someone; underestimation
ochazuke; rice with tea poured on it
unasked for; unnecessary; uninvolved
precocious; precocious child
self-aggrandizement under pretense of aiding another (aggrandisement, pretence)
rice seasoned and cooked with various ingredients
serving tea (esp. at a company); tea server; tea lady
serving tea (esp. at a company); tea server; tea lady
cancellation; abandonment
ohajiki; traditional Japanese children's game similar to marbles, played with coin-shaped pieces made of coloured glass or plastic
it's my turn; the ball is in my court; it's up to me
okara; soy pulp; tofu dregs; edible pulp separated from soybean milk in the production of tofu
changing one's dress (e.g. at the wedding reception)
tooth blackening; tooth-blackening dye
(someone's) assistance; help; aid; grace (of God); benevolence (of Buddha); blessing
unasked for; unnecessary; uninvolved
to have to wait (for the realization of something hoped for); to be forced to postpone
to beat someone at their own game; to outdo someone in their specialty
primness; prim person; clear soup
primness; prim person; clear soup
money; coin; dough; moolah; brass
mochi cut thin, dried, and baked or fried
mochi cut thin, dried, and baked or fried
mochi cut thin, dried, and baked or fried
burnt rice; scorched rice; crispy rice at bottom of cooking pan; woman who hangs out with gay men
Balcony of Appearances; balcony where the imperial family appears before the public; (sports) interview platform; winner's platform; dancing platform (in a disco)
Balcony of Appearances; balcony where the imperial family appears before the public; (sports) interview platform; winner's platform; dancing platform (in a disco)
aburaage; thin deep-fried slices of tofu
trip story; vacation story
oyaki; fried round wheat or buckwheat flour cake with various fillings; imagawayaki; thick pancake containing bean jam, served hot
fish served whole (complete with head and tail)
to reveal one's (poor) upbringing (through poor manners, etc.); to betray one's origin; to give oneself away
kitchen maid; kitchen duties; cooking
kitchen maid; kitchen duties; cooking
to be recognized (by someone of higher status); to be noticed; to get attention
bowel movement; evacuation
skewered sweet rice cakes served with soy sauce and miso
court of law in the Edo period, in which the parties sat on white sand
chestnut rice; rice boiled with chestnuts
lowest-ranking guest at tea ceremony; tea master
lighted lamp (or candle, etc.) provided as a religious offering
boasting of one's hometown
New Year's sake; spiced sake
the customer is always right; the customer is king
local costumed mascot character
mimosa (Mimosa pudica); sensitive plant; touch-me-not
miyamairi; newborn child's first visit to a shrine (within about 30 days of being born); visiting a shrine
scolding; telling-off; talking-to; dressing-down
(for one's turn) to come round
pert; tomboyish; impudent; lively; boisterous
god who bestows happiness upon people
to have to wait (for the realization of something hoped for); to be forced to postpone
Buddha; Shakyamuni; the historical Buddha (5th c. BCE?)
local dialect; vernacular; provincialism
e-mail notice of rejection (for a job application)
your address; your place of residence
your address; your place of residence
a recommendation; an order
(arch.) leader of a nobleman's cavalcade; animal messenger of the gods (i.e. a fox)
Kyoto-style side dish; meal of side dishes
please understand that...; please bear in mind that ...
please understand that...; please bear in mind that ...
please understand that...; please bear in mind that ...
please understand that...; please bear in mind that ...
afternoon snack (eaten around 3 o'clock); afternoon tea
(private) geisha entertainment; being entertained by one or more geisha (in a tea house or traditional Japanese restaurant)
oden made with hatcho miso
ghost story; spooky story
to be invited (often to perform for an audience); to be called
to be invited (often to perform for an audience); to be called
Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng)
Imperial train; royal train
rice cooked with matsutake
hired foreigner; foreign advisor hired by the Japanese government for their specialized knowledge to assist in the modernization of Japan at the end of the Bakufu and during the Meiji Era
hired foreigner; foreign advisor hired by the Japanese government for their specialized knowledge to assist in the modernization of Japan at the end of the Bakufu and during the Meiji Era
cloth diaper; cloth nappy
flunky; cat's-paw; tool; person whose services are at the disposal of another
(woman's) ugly or homely face; old bag
worship by the emperor at a shrine
free service after one has finished one's apprenticeship
dining table; (arch.) cooked rice
to ensconce oneself (e.g. in a chair); to settle oneself down; to plant oneself
please make yourself comfortable; please relax your sitting position
please make yourself comfortable; please relax your sitting position
goods to offer the junk dealer
very common way of tying a woman's kimono sash
honorific or polite prefix
honorific or polite prefix
moody person; temperamental person; fickle person
Calopteryx atrata (species of damselfly)
snoop; meddler; nosey parker; buttinsky; kibbitzer
(high-quality) silk crepe (fabric)
rice cracker; senbei; Japanese cracker
sitting on the floor with one's legs tucked under to one side
to perform anal sex (between men); to bugger; to sodomize; to crash a car into the back of another (usu. used in the passive voice); to rear-end
Canadian dwarf cornel (Cornus canadensis); bunchberry dogwood; crackerberry
rice sprinkled with red perilla
kitchen maid; kitchen duties; cooking
kitchen maid; kitchen duties; cooking
to be blown inside out (of an umbrella); (lit.) to become (the shape of) a sake cup
Kyoto area festival held on the 11th lunar month (wherein bonfires are burned at shrines)
that's none of your business
article offered at a bargain price (mainly of imperfect produce)
daikon, etc. trimmings, usu. added to rice
sitting between the host and guest of honour at a drinking party (honor); companion
my lord; my master; one's own lord; one's own master
dumpling cooked in miso served during the dog days of summer at the imperial court; (arch.) accompaniments for a rice dish; (arch.) wooden pestle; (arch.) menstrual period
dumpling cooked in miso served during the dog days of summer at the imperial court; (arch.) accompaniments for a rice dish; (arch.) wooden pestle; (arch.) menstrual period
steamed rice as an offering to a god
(Japanese) imperial succession
(Japanese) imperial succession
being ignorant of the ways of the world; knowing nothing; (lit.) not being able to tell if a yam is boiled or not
shooting a fleeing target (usu. animal) from horseback
offering to Buddha (often rice)
I'm good, thanks; I'll stay out of this one
I'm good, thanks; I'll stay out of this one
Annunciation Day; Lady Day
dashi (Japanese soup stock made from fish and kelp)
superstition; superstitious person
the humble shield of our Sovereign Lord
within the town limits of Edo
highly-esteemed emperor's reign
another's wife; another's daughter
another's wife; another's daughter
ring entering ceremony in presence of the emperor or crown prince
local wrestler; crowd favorite (favourite)
being excused from various levies and taxes during the age of militarist government
Japanese sweets made with glutinous rice and azuki bean paste
exported teachers during Meiji period
Omuro (sect of Shingon Buddhism)
to stand high in one's superior's favor and trust
betrothal money given from man to woman
betrothal money given from woman to man
condolence gift; gift brought to a (Christian) funeral; flower money
control gene; regulator gene; regulatory gene
shrine ritual held with the first two months of the year to forecast (or pray for) a successful harvest; seasonal planting of rice on a field affiliated with a shrine
shrine ritual held with the first two months of the year to forecast (or pray for) a successful harvest; seasonal planting of rice on a field affiliated with a shrine
special palanquin for carrying a daimyo or his wife incognito
common cattail (Typha latifolia); common bulrush; common reed mace
frequently asked questions; FAQ
frequently asked questions; FAQ
Asuka Kiyomihara Code (689 CE)
Asuka Kiyomihara Code (689 CE)
Ama no Mihashira; the heavenly pillar on Onokoro Island, around which Izanagi and Izanami are said to have wed
first-born imperial prince
Ontake-kyo (sect of Shinto); Mitake-kyo
Ontake-kyo (sect of Shinto); Mitake-kyo
servant of the imperial court
another's wife or daughter
another's wife or daughter
imperial subjects; the people
portable shrine used to transport a sacred object
emperor; (lit.) living god
emperor; (lit.) living god
emperor; (lit.) living god
leaves used for serving or offering sake, rice, etc.
annual Shingon prayer ritual (January 8-14)
assembler control instruction
association control service element; ACSE
online test control program
connection admission control; CAC
Job Control Language; JCL
DXC; Data Exchange Controller
High-level Data Link Control; HDLC
process control equipment
Media Access Control; MAC
rate based congestion control
arithmetic and control unit; ACU
HARC; Hierarchical Storage Archive and Retrieve Controller
BCP; Basic Control Program
configuration control board
user parameter control; UPC
user parameter control; UPC
AFC; Automatic Frequency Control
AGC; automatic gain control
accepting Association Control Protocol Machine
format effector; layout character
point of control and observation; PCO
IDC; Integrated Disk Controller
communication control unit
CCP; Communication Control Processor
Transmission Control Protocol; TCP
transmission control character
Synchronous Data Link Control; SDLC
Input; Output Control System; IOCS
Input-Output Controller; IOC
MAC; Media Access Control
MAC Protocol; Media Access Control Protocol
Media Access Control sublayer
UIOC; Universal I; O Control unit
physical communication control sublayer
NCU; Network Control Unit
requesting Association Control Protocol Machine
logical link control; LLC
logical link control protocol
logical link control layer
congestion control (e.g. in a network)
mind your own business!; keep out of it!
mind your own business!; keep out of it!
imperial censor; ancient Chinese official in charge of inspecting other officials
private koyomi published illegally (Edo period)
boat reserved for nobles; pleasure boat
imperial princess; royal princess
room or pavilion of residence for the master of the house (Heian period palatial-style architecture); room where the emperor usually lives in the imperial palace
imperial event at which high monks recited the Golden Light Sutra to pray for national security and good harvests (held annually at the palace from the 8th to the 14th of the first lunar month, between the Nara and Muromachi periods)
Goryū Shinto (sect of amalgamated Shinto)
palace of a retired emperor
spirit who possesses a wondrous power
gift received from a visitor (usu. used when offering the visitor to partake of part of that gift)
casserole of rice, fish or meat, and vegetables
electronic brakeforce distribution; electronic brakeforce limitation; EBD; EBFD; EBL
please allow me to introduce myself
kindling burned in shrines and temples; special kindling used in samurai families during the Edo period for the 15th of the first month and painted with 12 brush strokes (13 on a lucky year); kindling offered by officials to the imperial court during the ritsuryo period
even the gods drink sake; there's nothing wrong with drinking
locally produced electricity
dining table; (arch.) cooked rice
broth; soup (esp. miso soup)
female usher at traditional Kansai theatrical events
to flatter a higher-up; to suck up to; to curry favour; (lit.) to brush the dirt from a beard
to flatter a higher-up; (lit.) to brush the dirt from a beard
minister or general's wife who became a nun
silicon controlled rectifier; SCR
to see; to look; to watch; to see; to look; to watch
to see; to look; to watch
grain (esp. rice); rice cultivation
(his) side; (his) presence
beefwood (Casuarina equisetifolia)
alpine accentor (Prunella collaris)
Actinostemma lobatum (plant of the family Cucurbitaceae)
camel cricket (Diestrammena apicalis); camelback cricket; cave cricket; spider cricket
camel cricket (Diestrammena apicalis); camelback cricket; cave cricket; spider cricket
starchy solution formed during rice cooking