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ADACHIGAHARA
A place in Fukushima Ken. This is the location of a famous story of a group of yamabushi (AC vol. 1, p. 146) who discover that the old woman who’s hut they are staying in is an oni (AC vol. 1, p. 101) who eats passersby. This story has been made into a Nô drama also called Adachigahara.
M Cherry warns Ataru about the demoness of Adachi in Lum Urusei Yatsura Perfect Collection (p. 384).

AMADAI
Tile fish, a type of tai, also known as guji, blanquillo, and ocean whitefish. Branchiostegus japonicus. This fish from Western Japan is best eaten between October and March. The red or white varieties are best; the yellow isn’t quite as tasty.
A Tile fish is mentioned by Yaegashi in Blue Seed (ep. 16).
M Jan choses to use tile fish in a cooking contest in Iron Wok Jan (vol. 6, p. 112).

ARIMA KIHEI
d. late-1590s. A swordsman of the Shintô Ryû who died on a musha shugyô in a taryû-jiai against a thirteen-year-old opponent, an opponent who would later become known as Miyamoto Musashi (AC vol. 1, p. 86).
M In Vagabond (vol. 2, ch. 15) we see the combat between the young Takezô and Arima Kihei.
M There is a mention of a wife running off with an ashigaru in Lone Wolf and Cub (vol. 1, p. 12).

AYAME (IRIS)
A type of iris. The ayame, with its purple blossom, is probably the best known iris species in Japan. The blooming season is late spring through summer. Parts of the plant are used for dyes. There are other species that are also grown as ornamentals, as well as several wild species.
A In Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal ayame are seen and are the object of a conversation at the inn.

BUGAKU
An ancient style of dance and music. The word literally means “dance music” or “dance entertainment.” Bugaku was introduced into Japan in the 8th century from China. It became an aristocratic art form and has remained largely unchanged, even to the degree that new masks are copes of old ones, not original designs. One unusual type of bugaku mask is the zômen. The characters represented in bugaku are usually foreign gods or kami (AC vol. 1, p. 59). Interestingly, bugaku of Japanese origin do not use masks. During the Sengoku Jidai (AC vol. 1, p. 113) bugaku almost died out as a result of the social turmoil of the time. In the early Meiji period (AC vol. 1, p. 81), bugaku artists were gathered together in Tokyo to become the official musicians for the imperial household.
A Early in Spirited Away we see several red robed figures leave a ferry wearing bugaku zômen.

BUSHI (WARRIOR)
There are many terms used to describe warriors in early Japanese history. Bushi is only one of them. The early bushi were specialists in warfare, usually a mounted archer. The term came to mean any professional warrior rather than a farmer drafted as an occasional foot solder. In the Edo period (AC vol. 1, p. 25) the word was used interchangeably with samurai (AC vol. 1, p. 110), as the two were legally identical. In fact most anime, manga and Japanese movies do not use the word samurai much, instead bushi is used and is often “translated” into English as samurai.
A Bushi is the word used in Aboshi’s last speech but is translated as samurai in the The Legend of the Dog Warriors The Hakkenden (ep. 11).
M Many bushi are seen in historical tales such as Lone Wolf and Cub, Samurai Executioner and Vagabond.

CHOCO FLAKE
A snack manufactured by the Morinaga company. Choco Flake is simply corn flakes covered with chocolate. The taste is slightly sweet and quite yummy.
A Spike picks up a package of Choco Flake after knocking it out of a woman’s grocery bag in Cowboy Bebop (ep. 1).
M We see Choco bags next to the phone while Kunio uses it to talk to Fujiyoshi in chapter 20 of GTO (vol. 3).

DAI NIPPON TEIKOKU RIKUGUN (IMPERIAL JAPANESE ARMY)
The army of Japan that officially was under the command of the emperor from 1868, during the Meiji period (AC vol. 1, p. 81), until the disbanding of the Japanese military in 1945. Originally modeled after the French army, it was later reorganized along the lines of the Prussian military, including autonomy from civilian control. At the time of it’s greatest strength in WWII, there were around 6.4 million troops in the army.
A In the Rurouni Kenshin TV series (ep. 3), we see Yamagata Aritomo, a high-ranking officer of the Dai Nippon Teikoku Rikugun. • Of course, many WWII anime include the army such as The Cockpit story “Iron Dragon.”

DANGO (DUMPLING)
Dumpling or ball of food. Rice flour, buckwheat flour, or wheat flour can be used to make dango. If they are steamed or boiled, they are served with a sweet sauce. Grilled dango on skewers are called kushi-dango. Dango can also be made with meat. These are deep fried and often served in oden (AC vol. 1, p. 98).
A A plate of dango sits on the counter next to a platter with sauce as everyone talks in the restaurant in Saber Marionette J Again (ep. 4).
M Hyakurin brings Manji some dango in Blade of the Immortal: Secrets while he is recovering at Sori’s place.

GEKKIN
A round stringed instrument, often translated as “moon lute.” Used to play popular tunes. This instrument originated in China and variants of it are found in many parts of East Asia.
A Ikumatsu holds one of these while Katsura Kogorô (that is, Kido Takayoshi) and Katagai talk in Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal.

HANPEN (FISH PASTE CAKE)
Hanpen is made by mixing white fish or shark meat with yamanoimo into a paste, placing it in molds and boiling or steaming it until it hardens to a firm but soft texture. It is used in soup and is a common ingredient in oden (AC vol. 1, p. 98).
A Oji orders hanpen fish cake at a yatai (AC vol. 1, p. 147) in The Legend of Black Heaven (ep. 1).
M Babo orders another serving of hanpen at a yatai serving oden in Caravan Kidd (vol. 2, p. 142).

HENTAI
Usually translated as perverted or sexually explicit. The word has a much more complex meaning in Japanese, however. It can metamorphosis, weird, anomalous, or abnormal. Most of the time that you’ll see or hear the term in anime or in fan circles, it takes on its simplified meaning of perverted. Other ways of expressing this word include writing it with the capital letter H (pronounced by the Japanese as “ecchi”). Ecchi is occasionally used to refer to mildly perverted or to a sexual situation. English speaking fans have taken to using the word as an adjective in ways the Japanese do not, as in refering to erotic anime as “hentai anime.”
A Hentai is listed as part of the research done under the umbrella of a Science Fiction Club by a person interviewed in Otaku no Video (pt. 1, 1st interview). • It is translated as fetish in Kimagure Orange Road (TV ep. 1). • Gradeschooler Naota is repeatedly called ecchi by very hyper classmate after a girl spots a mark on his neck in FLCL (ep. 1). • Perhaps the best use of hentai is in the first episode of Ranma 1/2 after Akane discovers Ranma’s secret. Here there is wordplay on transformation and perverse situations.

IKEBANA (FLOWER ARRANGING)
A literal translation is “keeping flowers alive.” Introduced into Japan in the early 7th century by Buddhism (AC vol. 1, p. 15), which has a practice of offering flowers at altars. Starting in the 15th century ikebana became a separate art form first in Kyoto (AC vol. 1, p. 77) among the aristocracy and by the late 17th century ikebana had grown in popularity among the merchant classes.
A Employees of the ryokan (AC vol. 1, p. 107) arrange flowers in Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal. • Ayeka and Sasami work on ikebana for the Bon (AC vol. 1, p. 12) altar in Tenchi The Movie 2: The Daughter of Darkness.

KAKU ANDON (FOUR LEGGED STANDING LANTERN)
A lantern set on the floor or ground that consists of a base supporting a box with a covering in the shôji (AC vol. 1, p. 123) style. Sometimes four legs support the shôji section, sometimes they resemble a long box set on end with the shôji section as part of the top half. Traditionally, these burned oil. Today they can be bought with electric lights in them.
A We clearly see a kaku andon in the country house in Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal.
M This style of lantern provides the light while Ôgami and his son eat in Lone Wolf and Cub (vol. 3, p. 206).

KAWARA (ROOF TILES)
What anime set in earlier periods, or with traditional buildings, would be complete without roof tiles? As with many other things, roof tiles came to Japan from China and Korea along with Buddhism (bukkyô vol. 1, p. 15). The style used in Japan is pan tiles laid in overlapping rows. In the Edo period (AC vol. 1, p. 25) the bakufu imposed regulations in Edo requiring thatched roofs to be converted to tile roofs as a fire preventing measure. Tile roofs sometimes include ornamental shachihoko (AC vol. 1, p. 116) or onigawara.
A Otaru get a job laying tiles in Saber Marionette J (ep. 6). • Kyoko removes tiles to fix a leaking roof in Maison Ikkoku (ep. 2).
M We see roof tiles being laid in Lone Wolf and Cub (vol. 12, p. 182).

KOSUPURE
Cosplay, or costume play. The act of dressing up in public as your favorite character. You can choose from anime, manga, rock stars, aidoru (AC vol. 1, p. 3), live action show, game characters, or even make one up. One popular place to cosplay is Harajuku (AC vol. 1, p. 41), where on Sundays cosplayers gather to show off their costumes and get photographed.
A The ultimate example of cosplay has to be Otaku no Video, in which it is often mentioned and seen. • Nagisa wonders if Iczer One is doing cosplay in Iczer One (ep. 1). • Not knowing who she really is, Oji asks Yuki if she likes to cosplay when he first sees her in uniform in The Legend of Black Heaven (ep. 2).

NABE
A pot or pan for cooking, usually made of iron. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, some specialized for certain foods such as sukiyaki (AC vol. 1, p. 126). In traditional homes they would often be seen hanging from a jizaikagi (AC vol. 1, p. 55). Food dishes cooked in a nabe are referred to as nabemono. Ceramic nabe are called donabe.
A A good view of such a pot is near the end of Ranma 1/2 Anything: Anything-Goes Martial Arts (ep. 9).
M In Inu-Yasha (vol. 8, p. 172), we see a nabe with an otoshibuta in it as Kaede and Kikyo speak. • Kaii shares a meal cooked in a nabe with Itto and Retsudô in Lone Wolf and Cub (vol. 24, p. 104). • Takuan is very pleased when Otsu brings the sansai she has gathered for the nabemono in Vagabond (vol. 2, ch. 15).

NARA
The Japanese capital from 710–784. After the new capital was established in Kyoto (AC vol. 1, p. 77), Nara continued to be an important center for cultural and religious developments. Today it is the capital of Nara Prefecture in central Honshu (AC vol. 1, p. 47) Nara avoided damage from bombing in WWII and contains a rich collection of some of Japan’s most important ancient and historical buildings. Nara park is famous for its tame shika (AC vol. 1, p. 117).
One Urusei Yatsura story takes place in Nara (TV ep. “Spring Special 2” and The Return of Lum: Sweet Revenge (p. 69–).
A An episode of Blue Seed (ep. 14) also takes place in Nara.
M Jiro goes to Iga from Nara in Dagger of Kamui and Miyamoto Musashi (AC vol. 1, p. 86) heads for Nara in volume 4 of Vagabond.

NOZOKI
A problem for those seeking privacy outdoors or even indoors. Nozoki are a long established problem in Japan and even seen in Edo period (AC vol. 1, p. 25) shunga spying on couples.
AM Perhaps the most brazen nozoki in anime and manga is Yotsuya-san in Maison Ikkoku.

OKOSAMA-RANCHI
A mixed-food plate for children. These inexpensive meals for children contain a variety of foods on a single plate including desert. Usually a flag is inserted in one of the servings as a decoration. Sometimes dishes shaped like trains, boats, or other objects are used.
A Yumeji seems to be enjoying his okosama-ranchi and it’s variety of ingredients in Saber Marionette J Again (ep. 4). • Okosama-ranchi is translated as “kid’s lunch” in Magical Shopping Arcade Abenobashi (ep. 7).
M In Marionette Generation (vol. 1, p. 76), Izumi’s explanation for why he named the doll “Lunch” involves okosama-ranchi.

PINKU EIGA (PINK MOVIE, SEX FILMS)
The term pinku eiga goes back to a review in 1962 where it was said to describe the large amount of exposed female skin in the film Flesh Market. Ôkura Studios, which released Flesh Market, took up the term in its promotional literature and applied it to many of its other products. In time the term became commonly used for any film with lots of sexual content.
A A Kabukicho retailer of videos, including pinku eiga, turns out to also provide information to Ryo in City Hunter: The Motion Picture.

RAINBOW BRIDGE
The Rainbow Bridge (reinbô burijji) links reclaimed islands, mostly part of Kôtô-ku, in Tokyo Wan with Minato-ku in central Tokyo. The bridge opened in 1993, allows foot traffic, and includes a visitors’ center. The Rainbow Bridge is a suspension bridge with two towers each 126 meters tall. The Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway is on the upper of the two decks of traffic.
A The first You’re Under Arrest episode begins with a lone car driving on the bridge and ends with the main characters in Odaiba Kaihin Kôen at its base. It is also in the opening sequence and background on the menu screen of the DVD discs.
M Ai and her assistants return to Japan by materializing next to the Rainbow Bridge in Time Traveler Ai (vol. 1, p. 192).

SAKURA MOCHI
A mochi (AC vol. 1, p. 87) filled with azuki-an wrapped in sakura (AC vol. 1, p. 110) leaves that have been salt pickled. These are traditionally served during the Hina Matsuri (Doll Festival) (AC vol. 1, p. 45) and in Kyoto (AC vol. 1, p. 77) are a seasonal treat in the Spring.
A Ran feeds Rei sakura mochi in the Urusei Yatsura OVA “I Howl at the Moon.”
M Sakura mochi is ordered by a customer at a roadside tea shop in Blade of the Immortal: Cry of the Worm.

SHISHI
A term applied to principled warriors. During the bakumatsu the name was given to opponents of the bakufu. At that time, most of these men were low-ranking samurai (AC vol. 1, p. 110) who supported the restoration of power to the emperor. This movement came into existence toward the end of the Ansei no Taigoku. They were known for their attacks on government officials and foreigners.
A In Samurai X: Trust and Betrayal, shishi is translated as “patriots,” and in the Rurouni Kenshin TV series as “imperialists.”

SHUNGA (EROTIC ART)
Erotic prints, illustrations, or paintings, shunga literally translates as “spring pictures.” It is believed that the earliest shunga images were paintings by artists done for the fun of it. In the Nara period (710–794), the first illustrated sex manuals were produced. Shunga did not become a widespread art until the development and spread of printing. In the Edo period (AC vol. 1, p. 25), urban society came to be an audience for the prints. Some of the greatest print makers of the period produced shunga as part of their work. Later shunga often degenerated into crude pornographic works and by the 19th century little was produced. The term shunga has fallen out of favor with many Japanese, and the more acceptable term higa (secret pictures) is now often used.
A Kenshin meets Sanosuke at a print seller and teases him, asking if he is looking for shunga in Rurouni Kenshin (TV ep. 23).

SUPPON
The snapping turtle is imported, caught in the wild, and farmed in Japan. As a food, it is prepared in a variety of ways, including sashimi, deep fried, and used to make soup stock. There are even restaurants that specialize in meals in which everything is made with suppon. Sometimes the blood is mixed with sake (AC vol. 1, p. 109) to make a fortifying drink. Both the flesh and the blood are thought to be aphrodisiacs.
A As a child, Ataru is compared to a suppon for his ability to latch onto a girl and not let go in the Urusei Yatsura TV series (ep. 28, st. 51). • As a food, the snapping turtle of Koshien in Kôbe is mentioned in Urusei Yatsura (ep. 55, st. 78). • Megumi gives Akito a drink containing snapping turtle and pit viper blood as well as cow liver, energy drink, dokudami, sanshô, shiitake, burdock (gobô), and lotus root (renkon) in Martian Successor Nadesico (ep. 10).
M The blood of a snapping turtle becomes a key ingredient in a meal in Iron Wok Jan (vol. 9, ch. 78).

TAIRA NO MASAKADO
d. 940. A warrior of the Taira (AC vol. 1, p. 130) family who led the first rebellion by bushi against the government, setting up his own state in the Kantô Chihô (AC vol. 1, p. 61). Legend has it that after his defeat, his head flew to Shibasaki, a village at the end of the Hibiya inlet in what is now the Ôtemachi area in Chiyoda-ku in central Tokyo. Locals who saw Taira no Masakado as a hero raised the Masakado-zuka over the head. They also placed a stone marker in front of the mound and worshipped him as the principle deity of Kanda Myôjin. The story of his rebellion is told in the Shômonki, which is available in an English translation from Sophia University in Tokyo.
A In Doomed Megalopolis, attempts are made to raise the spirit of Taira no Masakado to destroy Tokyo. • Taira Masakato is mentioned in Samurai Deeper Kyo (ep. 6).

TAMAGO-ZAKE (EGG YOLK IN SAKE)
Hot sake (AC vol. 1, p. 109) with the addition of an egg yolk. This old cold cure calls for the sake to be heated until much of the alcohol evaporates, a temperature much higher than one would typically use for drinking warmed sake.
A Kasumi makes “egg and sake soup” for Akane when she has a cold in Ranma 1/2 Hard Battle (ep. 3) and Manami offers Kyosuke some in Kimagure Orange Road (TV ep. 4). • In Tenchi Universe (ep. 9), we see a very failed attempt to make this remedy.

TONFA
A weapon from Okinawa Ken (AC vol. 1, p. 99), usually used in pairs. Tonfa are made of a length of wood usually 45–60 cm long. A handle at a right angle is set about a quarter of the way down its length. The handle allows the tonfa to be used to both block attacks and be swung at an opponent. Originally, tonfa were devices used for milling rice. They were first used as weapons in the 17th century when the Satsuma Han invaded Okinawa.
A Tonfa are used against swords in the Rurouni Kenshin TV series (ep. 42).

TORI NO ICHI (BIRD FAIR)
Festival of the Rooster. Sometimes also called tori no machi or otorisama. A festival held in November according to the old lunar calendar on the days of the rooster at Ôtori shrines. Most years only have two such days in the month, but some have three. During these festivals, vendors sell various items and charms for good luck, especially the kumade.
A Shigure says “tori no ichi” when he meets Kenshin at a shrine during the festival in Samurai X: The Motion Picture.

TSUNA (ROPE)
In general, just a rope. In sumô (AC vol. 1, p. 127), they look like a coil of rope with large loops tied around the wrestler’s body. They are made of white cotton wrapped around copper wire. They are only worn by sumô wrestlers who have been granted the rank of yokozuna (“yoko/tsuna” or horizontal hawser) The sumô tsuna is a symbol of great strength and of purity.
A Bloodberry in Saber Marionette J wears tsuna.

TSUNAMI (TIDAL WAVE)
Tidal waves caused by underwater earthquakes. These can cause extensive damage along coastlines. As Japan’s coastline tends to be heavily populated, some tsunami have killed thousands. The Japanese Meteorological Agency monitors earthquakes and issues tsunami warnings.
A Shizuoka is at the center of damage when it is hit by tsunami in the Blue Seed TV series (ep. 24).

YAKIMESHI (FRIED RICE)
Also known as châhan. This Chinese dish, commonly found in Japan, is made with bits of egg, pork, green onion, peas, or other green vegetables mixed together in a pan. It is a handy way to use leftover rice. In fact, some say the best rice to use for this dish is that which has sat overnight.
A Notice that Noa uses a renge to eat her yakimeshi in Patlabor the TV Series (ep. 12), an example of the Japanese view that foods should be eaten with the utensils of their country of origin.
M Yakimeshi is also eaten with a renge by Shiina and Hiro in Shadow Star: Shadows of the Past.

YOSHIZU (REED SCREEN)
Screens made of marsh reeds, often stood or hung vertically. These are strongly associated with hot weather as they are used to block the sun at doorways and windows of homes, as well as at food stalls, restaurants, desert shops, beer gardens, and all sorts of other shops. They are also used as partitions. In stories, they are often seen at beaches.
A A yoshizu is seen against wall at the shaved ice place in Botchan (pt. 1) and we see one at the filming of the ferry scene in Here is Greenwood (ep. 3). • One is leaning against the outside of the building providing privacy as Ryunosuke takes a bath in a barrel outdoors in the Urusei Yatsura OVA “Nagisa’s Fiance.”
M A yoshizu is seen leaning on the yatai (AC vol. 1, p. 147) that serves oden (AC vol. 1, p. 98) under the tracks in Maison Ikkoku (vol. 7, p. 70).

YUKI ONNA (SNOW WOMAN)
In folklore, a woman seen on snowy nights dressed in white. Often described as having a child in her arms. Some stores say she is a women who died while giving birth. Unusual events during the snowy season are often attributed to her.
AM Takahashi Rumiko has her own take on the snow woman with her character Oyuki in Urusei Yatsura (TV ep. 8, st. 15 and Lum Urusei Yatsura Perfect Collection, p. 200, where it is translated as “snow fairy”).
M The story “Wasted Minds” in Rumic World Trilogy (vol. 2, p. 160) also uses the unconventional translation of “snow fairy.”

ZEICHIKU
A type of plant stalk that are used in bundles of fifty in a Chinese traditional method of divination. The stalks are divided into small bundles by a specific procedure involving discarding parts of the bundles until, by a process of counting the remaining ones, an odd or even number is reached. This is done six times and each number produces a solid or divided line. Sangi (AC vol. 1, p. 111) are used to keep track of each result. A copy of the I Ching, known in Japan as the Eki-kyô, an ancient Chinese book is consulted to obtain the divination.
A These can be seen in the background in the first visit to the medium’s office in the Phantom Quest Corps (ep. 1). • Zeichiku and sangi and used by a fortuneteller at a shrine in Doomed Megalopolis (ep. 2). • Zeichiku are used by Goemon in Lupin the 3rd Royal Scramble (ep. “But Your Brother Was Such a Nice Guy”). The result of this particular divination was “A wise man never courts danger.” • In Millennium Actress, we see a fortuneteller with these on the street in Manchuria.

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