A-I

J-R

S-Z

Note:  This glossary contains Japanese words, Nisei slang, Hawaiian slang, American slang, Navajo, Spanish and French, as it is used in this book, correctly or not.

Pronunciation: for Japanese words: pronounce every syllable, all vowels have the soft sound:

     A = ah

     E = eh

     I = ee

     O = oh

     U = oo

O's are pronounced open like Oh, not closed like Bowed.  And R's are pronounced more like a lilting D.

Generations:   Issei (EE-say) - first generation, immigrants from Japan

                     Nisei (NEE-say) - second generation, American-born children of immigrants

                     Sansei (SAHN-say) - third generation, grandchildren of immigrants

                     Yonsei (YOHN-say) - fourth generation

                     Nikkei (NEE-kay) - general term for Japanese American

442nd - the 442nd Regimental Combat Team comprised of Niseis (second generation native born Americans of Japanese ancestry, mostly from the mainland) combined with the 100th Batallion, Japanese Americans from Hawaii to form the most decorated unit in U.S. military history.

J-A - Japanese American

Jiichan - (JEE-sahn) - uncle or old man, familiar term for Ojiisan

Kahuna - (kah-HOO-nah) - Hawaiian spiritual man

kamaboko (kah-mah-BOH-koh) - fish cake

kampai (kahm-PYE) - a toast with drinks

Kanaka - Hawaiian

Kanemochi (kah-nah-MOH-chee) - rich person

Kanji (KAHN-jee) - the most complex Japanese character writing, derived or taken directly from Chinese; simpler forms are hiragana and katakana

kasu salmon (KAH-soo) - salmon filet, salted and cured in sake curd- properly salmon kasuzuke

kiai - (kee-EYE) - the explosive shout that accompanies and enhances kicks and punches

kinako (kee-NAH-koh) - sweet soy bean powder for dipping boiled mochi

kintoki (KEEN-toh-kee) - azuki beans poured on shave ice

kitanai (KEET-tah-nye) - dirty, unsanitary

koden (KOH-den) - offering to family at funeral; Buddhist origin - Ko (incense) offering

kukae (koo-kye) (Hawaiian slang) - poop

kusai (koo-SYE) - stinky

manju (MAHN-joo) - sweet rice confections

mazehohan (MAH-zeh-goh-HAHN) - sushi rice with vegetables diced in mi higo (MEE-ho) (Spanish) - term of affection - my child.

miso (MEE-soh) - fermented soy bean paste

mochi (MOH-chee) - sweet rice pounded and formed into cakes

monku (MOHN-koo) - complain

moyashi (mo-yah-SHEE) - bean sprouts

musubi (moo-soo-BEE) - rice ball

nappa (NAHP-pah) - leafy cabbage

nasu (NAH-soo) - Japanese eggplant

nezumi (Neh-zoo-mee) - mice

Nihongakko (nee-HOHN-GAH-koh) - Japanese school

Nihongo (nee-HOHN-goh) - Japanese language

Nihonjin (nee-HOHN-jeen) - Japanese

nonki (NOHN-kee) - easy going

nori (NOH-ree) - dried seaweed

Obachan (oh-BAH-chahn) - term of affection - grandma

obasan (oh-bah-SAHN) - auntie, relative, familiar woman

obon (oh-BOHN) - fall festival, Buddhist origin, to welcome ancestors who've passed away

ocha (oh-CHAH) - tea

ochazuke (oh-CHAH-zoo-keh) - bowl of plain rice and tea

ohagi (oh-HAH-shee) - chopsticks

oishi (OY-shee) - delicious

Ojiichan (oh-JEE-chahn) - more formal term of affection for grandfather

ojiisan (oh-jee-SAHN) - more formal term for uncle, male, familiar man

okole (oh-KOH-leh) (Hawaiian slang) - rear end

ondo (OHN-doh) - obon dance

Rafu Shimpo - the oldest Japanese language newspaper in Los Angeles