Full Cicada Moon

by Marilyn Hilton

  Amerika – America or United States of America.

  “Arigato gozaimasu.” – “Thank you very much.” A more polite way of saying this is “Domo arigato gozaimasu.”

  baka – Foolish or silly.

  “Bikkurishita!” – “I was surprised!” or “I was shocked!”

  chan – An endearment added to a young child’s name. Chan is used for girls and boys, and kun is used for boys.

  furoshiki – A square cloth, made of silk or other fabric, that’s used for wrapping packages or gifts. You lay the furoshiki flat and place the item on it. Next, bring two opposite corners together on top and tie them in a square knot. Then tie the other two corners.

  gofukuya – A tailor who makes and sells kimono.

  hatsuyume – The first dream of the new year. It’s believed that a good hatsuyume will come true if you don’t tell it to anyone. The best hatsuyume have Mount Fuji, a hawk, or an eggplant in them.

  hinomaru – The Japanese national flag. It’s also a food made by placing a pickled plum (umeboshi) in the center of a bed of white rice to look like the flag.

  kappamaki – A kind of sushi made by rolling rice and slivered cucumber in sheets of dried seaweed (nori).

  kimono – A garment that’s wrapped around the body and fastened with various ties and an obi (a sash that women wear at their waists and men wear below their waists). Kimono are made from various kinds of fabrics, such as silk or cotton, and in various styles for different events and seasons.

  kotatsu – A low table with a heater attached under the tabletop. In winter, a quilt with a hole in the middle (for the heater) is placed between the tabletop and the table’s frame and draped to the floor. People sit at the kotatsu and stay warm and cozy.

  makisu – A mat made of slender bamboo sticks that are woven with string. It’s used to make rolled sushi (makizushi) and other foods.

  maneki-neko – A cat figurine with one paw raised to look like it’s waving or calling. It’s said that maneki-neko bring good luck.

  “Nani?” – “What?” or “Yes?”

  nengajo – Greeting cards for New Year’s Day. In Japan, the post office delivers all the nengajo on January 1, when people read and enjoy them.

  Nihon-teki – Japanese-like or Japanese style. For example, clothing, furniture, or even the way a person behaves can be Nihon-teki. (Nihon means Japan.)

  norimaki – A kind of sushi made by wrapping ingredients, such as fish or vegetables, in seasoned rice and sheets of dried seaweed (nori).

  obaasan – Grandmother. (Grandfather is ojiisan.)

  obento (or bento) – A meal made of small portions of different foods and served in a container with sections.

  “Ohayo gozaimasu.” – “Good morning.” You can say this greeting until noon. In the afternoon, you say “Konnichi wa.” In the evening, you say “Konban wa.” And at night or bedtime, you say “Oyasumi nasai.”

  oishii – Tasty, delicious.

  omiyage – A gift. It is good manners to bring an omiyage when you visit someone.

  omochi (or mochi) – Rice that has been pounded until it’s smooth, soft, and sticky. It’s used in many kinds of foods.

  oshogatsu – The New Year holiday. In Japan, people celebrate oshogatsu for three days, January 1–3. To prepare for the holiday, people clean their homes from top to bottom, inside and out, and make special foods (osechi) during the last few days of December.

  ozoni (or zoni) – A special soup that’s eaten during oshogatsu. It’s often made with mochi, fish cake (kamaboko), and vegetables.

  sado – The Japanese tea ceremony (which is also called chado). It is a way of making, serving, and drinking powdered green tea (matcha) using special utensils.

  sake – A drink made from fermented rice and often served hot in small cups or glasses. During oshogatsu, many families drink sake from special cups, one person at a time. Gold flakes are sometimes added to that sake to celebrate the new year.

  san – A term of respect for an adult or older child. You say it after the person’s last (family) name.

  sukoshi dake – Just a little.

  sushi – Seasoned rice shaped in small mounds and topped with other foods (like raw or cooked fish, sweet egg omelet, or vegetables), or wrapped or rolled with other ingredients (like cucumbers, mushrooms, or fish, and dried seaweed).

  tempura – Lightly battered and deep-fried vegetables and seafood

  Toshiro Mifune – An actor who played roles in many movies. In Japanese, the last (family) name is said first, so his name is Mifune Toshiro.

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