Word for members of traditional organized crime groups in Japan.
Yakuza
A traditional Japanese hands-on therapy based on anatomical and physiological theory.
Shiatsu
The Japanese art of flower arrangement.
Ikebana
While a number of terms like nurimono and urushi-nuri are also used, this is the most common word to describe the craft of lacquerware.
Shikki
Native name for Japan.
Nippon
The ancient Japanese art of paper folding.
Origami
In the history of Japan, this was someone who was someone specially trained in a variety of unorthodox arts of war including assassination, espionage, and other martial arts.
Ninja
A traditional ritual based on Taoism (Daoism) and influenced by Zen Buddhism in which powdered green tea, or matcha is ceremonially prepared by a skilled practitioner and served to a small group of guests in a tranquil setting.
Chanoyu/ sado/ chado
The traditional formal way of sitting in Japan.
Seiza
The art of aesthetic miniaturization of trees by growing them in containers.
Bonsai
A curved, single-edged sword traditionally used by the samurai.
Katana
The Japanese word for the spirits within objects in the Shinto faith.
Kami
Literally 'empty orchestra' - can you read and sing?
Karaoke
Translated as 'Grand Champion', it is the highest rank in Sumo.
Yokozuna
Term meaning "founder" or "grand master" of a certain school of art and describes both people and a system of familial generations in traditional Japanese arts.
Iemoto
Traditional (and gory) form of ritual suicide.
Hara-kiri/ seppuku
Sumo wrestling is held in a ring called this.
Dohyo
A now-dated, disfavored Japanese term for "emperor", specifically for the "Emperor of Japan."
Mikado
Traditional mobile storage cabinetry indigenous to Japan.
Tansu
Sliced raw fish alone is called this, and not sushi.
Sashimi
Traditional Japanese flooring mats made of woven straw, and traditionally packed with rice straw (though nowadays sometimes with styrofoam).
Tatami
Traditional Japanese loincloth used by sumo-tori and other men, especially during the matsuri festival.
Fundoshi
A type of mattress that makes up a Japanese bed.
Futon
Literally meaning 'sun-disc', it is the red disc in the flag.
Hinomaru
Literally meaning "where the birds reside", these are gateways at the entrance of Shinto shrines. They are typically made of wood, stone or sometimes iron.
Torii
Literally "pictures of the floating world", it is a genre of Japanese woodblock prints and paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries.
Ukiyo-e
Shinkansen is the word generally used for this renowned Japanese 'mobile.'
Bullet train
Literally meaning 'ten thousand years', during WW II, it served as a battle cry of sorts for Japanese soldiers.
Banzai
Usually translated as divine wind, it is now applied to suicide pilots of WWII.
Kamikaze
A form of traditional Japanese theatre known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by its performers.
Kabuki
Name given to Shinto shrines or sanctuaries.
Jinja
Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji together constitute this.
Japanese writing system
Literally "way of the sword", it is the Japanese martial art of fencing usually done with bamboo swords.
Kendo
A form of Japanese poetry, usually combines three different lines, with a distinct grammatical break.
Haiku
The Japanese word for comic or print cartoons.
Manga
A Japanese title used to refer to or address teachers, professionals such as lawyers and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other authority figures.
Sensei
Japanese hot springs traditionally used as public bathing places - today they play a central role in directing Japanese domestic tourism.
Onsen
Known as Japanese horseradish, it is often served with sushi or sashimi.
Wasabi
Title given to the military rulers of Japan between from the 1192 century to 1867.
Shogun
Meaning "Way of the Warrior", is a Japanese code of conduct and a way of life, loosely analogous to the European concept of chivalry and is closely associated with the Samurai.
Bushido
A room divider or door consisting of translucent washi paper over a wooden frame and now regarded in Japan as a necessity in looking Japanese.
Shoji
The Japanese language of flowers.
Hanakotoba
Name of Japan's traditional Shinto festivals taking place mostly in late spring and summer.
Matsuri
Master less samurai are called these; also a thriller starring De Niro.
Ronin
The national costume, originally it referred to all types of clothing, but it has come to mean specifically the full-length traditional garment worn by women, men, and children.
Kimono