カテゴリー: Japanese Culture Words

道場

DOJO

dojo / martial arts hall

盆栽

BONSAI

bonsai / miniature tree art

柔道

JUDO

a Japanese martial art and Olympic sport focused on throws, grappling, and submission techniques, founded by Jigoro Kano in 1882

絵文字

EMOJI

pictograph character; the small digital icons used in electronic communication — originally a Japanese invention for mobile phone text messaging

酒

SAKE

sake / Japanese rice wine

寿司

SUSHI

sushi / vinegared rice dish

刀

KATANA

katana / Japanese sword / samurai sword

忍者

NINJA

ninja / shinobi warrior / covert operative

桜

SAKURA

sakura / cherry blossom / cherry tree

温泉

ONSEN

onsen / hot spring

相撲

SUMO

sumo / Japanese wrestling

天ぷら

TEMPURA

tempura / fried vegetables and seafood

生き甲斐

IKIGAI

reason for being; the source of motivation that makes life feel worth living

侍

SAMURAI

samurai / warrior

侘び寂び

WABI-SABI

the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness

引きこもり

HIKIKOMORI

severe social withdrawal; a person who has retreated from social life and rarely or never leaves their home

芸者

GEISHA

geisha / traditional entertainer

折り紙

ORIGAMI

origami / paper folding art

浴衣

YUKATA

a lightweight, informal cotton kimono worn in summer at festivals, fireworks events, or in ryokan and hot spring resorts

ラーメン

RAMEN

ramen / noodle soup

愛

AI

love

曖昧

AIMAI

vague / ambiguous / unclear

赤い

AKAI

red

秋

AKI

autumn / fall

雨

AME

rain

姉

ANE

older sister (own)

兄

ANI

older brother (own)

青い

AOI

blue / green