Chapter Text
Glossary
- Aku- symbol that means evil, also can translated as either wicked or bad
- Andon bakama- undivided hakama, like a skirt, they differ from hakama (not only in being like a skirt) in that they typically have different fabric designs and method of tying. They are traditionally only worn by shrine maidens or rarely for tea ceremonies
- Battosai- The warrior name given to Kenshin during his days as an assassin during the revolution
- Bo- a long staff could be up to 70 inches long
- Boku-ken- a wooden practice sword
- Choshu fraction- Anti-Tokugawa (shogunate) domain; home to many patriots
- -chan- honorific. Can be used either as diminutive (e.g. with a small child “Little Hanako”), or with those who are grown, to indicate affection (“My dear…”)
- Cord of wood- a unit of measure with firewood, that is 4x8x4 feet stack, or 128 cubic feet of wood stacked
- Daifuku- a traditional Japanese treat made of made of small round rice cakes stuffed with sweetened red bean filling
- Dojo- martial arts training hall
- -dono- Honorific. Even more respectful than –san; the effect in modern-day Japanese conversation would be along the lines of “Milord So-and-So.” As used by Kenshin, it indicates both respect and humility
- Hakubaiko- perfume made of white plums
- Hamon- the wavy line in the katana denoting the blade
- Hakama- similar to pants but pleated and worn only by men during the time of the Meiji
- Heian age- 794-1185 AD
- Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu- Kenshin’s sword technique, used more for defense than offense. An “ancient style that pits one against many,” it requires exceptional speed and agility to master
- Hitokiri- An assassin. Famous swordsmen of the period were sometimes thus known to adopt “professional,” names
- Hosozao shiarisem- the smallest form of the traditional Japanese shiarisem, roughly the size of a ukulele but with only three strings
- Ishin Shishi- loyalist or pro-Imperialist patriots who fought to reinstate them Emperor to his ancient seat of power
- Kama- a short hand scythe
- Kamiya Kasshin-ryu- Sword-arts or kenjutsu school established by Kaoru’s father, who rejected the ethics of Satsujin-ken for Katsujin-ken
- Katana- traditional Japanese long sword (curved, single-edge, worn cutting-edge up) of the samurai. Used primarily for slashing; can be wielded one- or two-handed
- Kenjutsu- the art of fencing; sword arts; kendo
- Jikininki - Ghosts that eat human corpses.
- Nakago- the part of the katana’s blade that is inside the hilt and is used to hold the blade in place
- Obi- sash
- Okashira- the name given to the leader of the oniwanbanshu, the defenders of Edo castle in the Meiji revolution, it means “the head” ie leader or boss
- Oni - The classic Japanese demon. It is an ogre-like creature which often has horns.
- Oniwanbanshu- elite group of onmitsu or “spies” of the Edo period, now known as “ninja” or “shinobi”
- Onmitsu- ninja
- Oro- a phase often used by Kenshin, it has no real meaning, just an exclamation of surprise
- Rurouni- wanderer, vagabond
- Sakabato- reversed-edge (the dull edge on the side the sharp should be, and vice-versa); carried by Kenshin as a symbol of his resolution never to kill again
- Sakara- Japanese for cherry blossom
- -sama- honorific. The respectful equivalent of –san, -sama is used primarily in addressing persons of much higher rank than one’s self, or in the romantic sense, in addressing those upon whom one has a crush
- -san- honorific. Carries the meaning of Mr, Ms, Miss, etc, but is used more extensively in Japanese then its English equivalent (note even an enemy may be addressed as –san)
- Sen-unit of Japanese currency, equal to one hundredth of a yen. No longer in circulation.
- Sensei- teacher
- Seppuku- suicide
- Shikomizue- a sword disguised inside of a cane, they are typically of less durable than a traditional katana
- Shinai- Kenjutsu “practice sword,” said to have been developed around 1750. Traditional constructed of four pieces of well-seasoned bamboo, a small piece of metal inside the “butt” of each stave keeps them aligned
- Shinobi- another word for ninja like onmitsu
- Shinobue- a Japanese transverse flute or fue that has a high-pitched sound made of bamboo
- Shinsengumi- elite, notorious, government-sanctioned and exceptionally skilled swordsmen-supports of the military government (Barkufu) which had ruled Japan for nearly 250 years, the Shinsengumi (“newly selected corps”) were established in 1863 to suppress the loyalists and restore law and order to the imperial capital of Kyoto
- Shogi- Japanese chess and a popular game in the Edo period
- Shunga- erotic art, technically illegal but still widely sold
- Tabi- ankle-high, divided toe socks that are worn with sandals
- Tanuki -is the common Japanese name for the Japanese raccoon dog. They have been part of Japanese folklore since ancient times. The legendary tanuki is reputed to be mischievous and jolly, a master of disguise and shape shifting, but somewhat gullible and absent-minded.
- Tennin- the Japanese version of angels. They are usually pictured as unnaturally beautiful women dressed in ornate, colorful kimonos (traditionally in five colors), exquisite jewelry, and flowing scarves that wrap loosely around their bodies. They usually carry lotus blossoms as a symbol of enlightenment or play musical instruments
- Tsuba- hand guard on a sword, it is a disc shape and serves a duel role of preventing the user’s hand from slipping as well as blocking or warding off an attack.
- Ume- Japanese plum, it is called a plum though it is more similar to an apricot. It is rarely eaten raw but is more commonly pickled or used to make wine.
- Wakizashi- similar to the more familiar katana, but shorter (blade between 12-24 inches)