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Do You Speak Japanese?

Click on each clue for its answer.

  1. Word for members of traditional organized crime groups in Japan.

    Yakuza

  2. A traditional Japanese hands-on therapy based on anatomical and physiological theory.

    Shiatsu

  3. The Japanese art of flower arrangement.

    Ikebana

  4. 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

  5. Native name for Japan.

    Nippon

  6. The ancient Japanese art of paper folding.

    Origami

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. The traditional formal way of sitting in Japan.

    Seiza

  10. The art of aesthetic miniaturization of trees by growing them in containers.

    Bonsai

  11. A curved, single-edged sword traditionally used by the samurai.

    Katana

  12. The Japanese word for the spirits within objects in the Shinto faith.

    Kami

  13. Literally 'empty orchestra' - can you read and sing?

    Karaoke

  14. Translated as 'Grand Champion', it is the highest rank in Sumo.

    Yokozuna

  15. 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

  16. Traditional (and gory) form of ritual suicide.

    Hara-kiri/ seppuku

  17. Sumo wrestling is held in a ring called this.

    Dohyo

  18. A now-dated, disfavored Japanese term for "emperor", specifically for the "Emperor of Japan."

    Mikado

  19. Traditional mobile storage cabinetry indigenous to Japan.

    Tansu

  20. Sliced raw fish alone is called this, and not sushi.

    Sashimi

  21. Traditional Japanese flooring mats made of woven straw, and traditionally packed with rice straw (though nowadays sometimes with styrofoam).

    Tatami

  22. Traditional Japanese loincloth used by sumo-tori and other men, especially during the matsuri festival.

    Fundoshi

  23. A type of mattress that makes up a Japanese bed.

    Futon

  24. Literally meaning 'sun-disc', it is the red disc in the flag.

    Hinomaru

  25. 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

  26. 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

  27. Shinkansen is the word generally used for this renowned Japanese 'mobile.'

    Bullet train

  28. Literally meaning 'ten thousand years', during WW II, it served as a battle cry of sorts for Japanese soldiers.

    Banzai

  29. Usually translated as divine wind, it is now applied to suicide pilots of WWII.

    Kamikaze

  30. A form of traditional Japanese theatre known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by its performers.

    Kabuki

  31. Name given to Shinto shrines or sanctuaries.

    Jinja

  32. Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji together constitute this.

    Japanese writing system

  33. Literally "way of the sword", it is the Japanese martial art of fencing usually done with bamboo swords.

    Kendo

  34. A form of Japanese poetry, usually combines three different lines, with a distinct grammatical break.

    Haiku

  35. The Japanese word for comic or print cartoons.

    Manga

  36. A Japanese title used to refer to or address teachers, professionals such as lawyers and doctors, politicians, clergymen, and other authority figures.

    Sensei

  37. Japanese hot springs traditionally used as public bathing places - today they play a central role in directing Japanese domestic tourism.

    Onsen

  38. Known as Japanese horseradish, it is often served with sushi or sashimi.

    Wasabi

  39. Title given to the military rulers of Japan between from the 1192 century to 1867.

    Shogun

  40. 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

  41. 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

  42. The Japanese language of flowers.

    Hanakotoba

  43. Name of Japan's traditional Shinto festivals taking place mostly in late spring and summer.

    Matsuri

  44. Master less samurai are called these; also a thriller starring De Niro.

    Ronin

  45. 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