Shadow (8 page)

Glossary of Japanese Words and Phrases

Chan: Suffix used for female friends or those younger than the speaker

Chigau yo: “It’s not like that” or “No.” Literally, “It’s different”

Deshou: “Right?” Used to look for agreement when the speaker isn’t sure what’s being said is accurate

Furoshiki: A cloth traditionally used to wrap lunch boxes or other goods

Genkan: The foyer or entrance of a Japanese building. Usually the floor of the genkan is lower than the rest of the building to keep shoes and outside things separate from the clean raised floor inside.

Hai: “Yes.” Also used as a filler word to show that one is listening to the speaker

Heiki: “It’s fine” or “I’m not concerned”

Ii yo: “Sure”

Inugami: A dog demon from Shinto tradition. Known for their uncontrollable wrath and murderous instincts

Ittekuru: Tough guy slang for
Ittekimasu
, “I’m leaving (and coming back).” Said when leaving the home

Itterasshai: “Go (and come back safely).” Said when someone is leaving the home

Kaasan: Tough guy slang for
Okaasan
, “Mom”

Kagura: An ancient style of theatrical dance

Keitai: Cell phone

Kendouka: A kendo participant

Kotatsu: A heated table used in Japanese homes in the winter.

Mou: As used in SHADOW, depicts annoyance at the situation. “Jeez!”

Nani: “What?”

Ne: “Isnt it?” It can also be used as “Hey!” to get someone’s attention (like “Ne, Tanaka”)

Ohayo: “Good morning”

Oi: “Hey”

Onigiri: Rice balls

Sakura: The cherry blossoms

Sa-me zo: Tough guy slang for
Samui yo
, “It’s cold”

Shabu shabu: Japanese hot pot, a popular meal. Raw vegetables, meat and fish are cooked in a shared pot of boiling broth on the table and then dipped in various sauces before eating

Shinai: A sword made of bamboo slats tied together, used for kendo

Shinkansen: The bullet train

Suki: “I like you” or “I love you,” often used when confessing feelings for the first time

Tatami: Traditional mat flooring made of woven straw

Torii: Shinto entrance monument to a shrine. The O-Torii is the famous orange gate in front of Itsukushima Shrine

Tousan: Tough guy slang for
Otousan
, “Dad”

Tsuki: A kendo hit to the throat

Urusai: “Shut up!” Literally, “it’s noisy”

Yokatta: “Thank god”

Yuzu: A citrus fruit popular in Japanese sauces, drinks and dishes

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About the Author

Amanda
Sun
was born in Deep River, Ontario, a small town
where she could escape into the surrounding forest to read. She is an
archaeologist by training, but her intense fear of spiders keeps her indoors,
where she writes novels instead. She will write your name in Egyptian
hieroglyphic if you ask, though. The Paper Gods is inspired by her time living
in Osaka and traveling throughout Japan. She currently lives in Toronto, where
she keeps busy knitting companion cubes, gaming and sewing costumes for anime
conventions.
Ink
is her first novel. Visit her on
the web at
www.AmandaSunBooks.com
and on Twitter at
@Amanda_Sun
.

ISBN: 9781459235823

Copyright © 2013 by Amanda Sun

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