by Jasmine Walt
kamaitachi – a weasel-like yokai with sickle-blades for arms.
kami – a divine being, such as a god.
kanji – a form of Japanese writing using Chinese characters.
katana – a long, single-edged sword used by Japanese samurai.
konnichiwa – Japanese term for “good afternoon.”
ki – Also known as chi or qi, ki is the energy that flows through all living beings, plant or animal.
kimono – a long, loose robe with wide sleeves and tied with a sash, originally worn as a formal garment in Japan.
koka suru – Japanese term for “descend.”
Kuchisake-onna – Also known as the “slit-mouthed woman," the Kuchisake-onna is the ghost of a woman who was mutilated by her husband, then returned to earth as a malicious spirit.
kusarigama— also known as a “chain-sickle”. A weapon that consists of a sickle (farming tool) with a weight that is attached to the end with a long chain. The wielder typically swings the weight at the enemy and uses it to coil the chain around his weapon or arm, then finishes him off with the blade. It is a very versatile weapon, as the sickle and weight can be used in a variety of combinations.
kyuubi – also known as “the fox spirit” or “nine-tailed fox,” kyuubi is a well-known yokai appearing in Japanese and Chinese mythology. They are trickster yokai, known for their shape-shifting abilities and illusion magic as well as the ability to wield foxfire.
maji – Japanese word for “merge.”
matcha – a powdered green tea used in Japanese tea ceremony.
makuragaeshi – a child ghost that haunts specific rooms in a house. They especially like to play pranks on guests.
mezame – Japanese word for “awaken,” used by a shaman to summon yokai.
mokumokuren – a common yokai that often live in torn shoji, tatami mats, or walls.
naginata – one of several varieties of Japanese blades, fashioned as a pole weapon similar to a spear.
ningyo – a fish-like creature in Japanese mythology, sometimes depicted as a mermaid.
nuribotoke – an animated corpse. They are typically believed to have revived due to poor care of a household’s shrine.
ofuda – a type of household amulet or talisman, issued by a Shinto shrine. They are traditionally hung in the house for protection.
ogama – a giant toad yokai.
Okaa-san – a respectful Japanese term for “mother.”
osuzumebachi – a Japanese giant hornet.
Reikai – Japanese term for the spirit realm.
reiki – a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch to activate the natural healing processes of the patient's body and restore physical and emotional well-being.
ryokan – a traditional Japanese inn featuring tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear yukata (a light cotton kimono) and talk with the owner.
Ryujin – a dragon god also known as Watatsumi or Suijin. He is the guardian deity of the sea in Japanese mythology.
sakura – Japanese word for “cherry blossom.”
sanshutsu – Japanese word for “yield.”
Shinto – a Japanese religion dating from the early 8th century and incorporating the worship of ancestors and nature spirits and a belief in sacred power (kami) in both animate and inanimate things. It was the state religion of Japan until 1945.
shoji – a light screen consisting of a framework of wood covered with paper or other translucent material, used originally in Japanese homes as one of a series of sliding panels between the interior and exterior or between two interior spaces.
sumanai – Japanese term for “I’m sorry.”
suzu – a round, hollow Japanese bell that is often draped outside Shinto shrines. Ringing the bell is said to call the shrine’s kami, allowing one to acquire positive power and authority while repelling evil.
tanto – a Japanese dagger.
tatami – a rush-covered straw mat forming a traditional Japanese floor covering.
tengu – a legendary bird of prey yokai, traditionally depicted with both human and avian characteristics. They are considered protective, if dangerous, guardians of the mountains and forests.
torii – the gateway of a Shinto shrine, with two uprights and two crosspieces.
umigame – a giant sea turtle yokai.
wakizashi – a Japanese short sword.
yokai – a class of supernatural monsters in Japanese folklore.
yoki – ki, or energy, given off by a yokai.
yurei – Japanese word for “ghost” or “spirit.”
Also by Jasmine Walt
The Shaman Queen’s Harem:
Ghosts and Grudges
Monsters and Magic —Coming Soon!
* * *
The Dragon’s Gift Trilogy:
Dragon’s Gift
Dragon’s Blood
Dragon’s Curse—Coming Soon!
* * *
The Nia Rivers Adventures:
Dragon Bones
Demeter’s Tablet
Templar Scrolls
Serpent Mound
Eden’s Garden—Coming Soon!
* * *
The Baine Chronicles Series:
Burned by Magic
Bound by Magic
Hunted by Magic
Marked by Magic
Betrayed by Magic
Deceived by Magic
Scorched by Magic
Taken by Magic
Tested by Magic (Novella)
* * *
The Gatekeeper Chronicles
Marked by Sin
Hunted by Sin
Claimed by Sin
Also by J.A. Cipriano
Starcrossed Dragons
Riding Lightning
Grinding Frost
Swallowing Fire
* * *
Bug Wars
Doomed Infinity Marine
Doomed Infinity Marine 2
* * *
The Legendary Builder
The Builder’s Sword
The Builder’s Greed
The Builder’s Pride
The Builder’s Wrath
The Builder’s Throne
* * *
The FBI Dragon Chronicles
A Ritual of Fire
A Ritual of Death
* * *
World of Ruul
Soulstone: Awakening
Soulstone: The Skeleton King
* * *
Elements of Wrath Online
Ring of Promise
The Vale of Three Wolves
Crystalfire Keep
* * *
Kingdom of Heaven
The Skull Throne
Escape From Hell
* * *
The Thrice Cursed Mage
Cursed
Marked
Burned
Seized
Claimed
Hellbound
* * *
The Half-Demon Warlock
Pound of Flesh
Flesh and Blood
Blood and Treasure
* * *
The Lillim Callina Chronicles
Wardbreaker
Kill it with Magic
The Hatter is Mad
Fairy Tale
Pursuit
Hardboiled
Mind Games
Fatal Ties
* * *
Clans of Shadow
Heart of Gold
Feet of Clay
Fists of Iron
* * *
The Spellslinger Chronicles
Throne to the Wolves
Prince of Blood and Thunder
* * *
Found Magic
May Contain Magic
The Magic Within
Magic for Hire
* * *
Witching on a Starship
Maverick
Planet Breaker
About the Authors
JASMINE WALT is obsessed with books, chocolate, and sharp objects. Somehow, those three things melded together in her head and transformed into a desire to write, usually fantastical stuff with a healthy dose of action and romance. Her characters are a little (okay, a lot) on the snarky side, and they swear, but they mean well. Even the villains sometimes. When Jasmine isn’t chained to her keyboard, you can find her practicing her triangle choke on the jujitsu mat, spending time with her family, or binge-watching superhero shows on Netflix. You can connect with her on Instagram at @jasmine.walt, on Facebook, or at www.jasminewalt.com.
J.A. CIPRIANO is a New York Times bestselling author of over fifty science fiction and fantasy novels. When he’s not creating imaginative and spectacular tales, J.A. lives in California with his wife and son, where the weather is always nice and sky is always bright. He also has three chinchillas. Two of them are gray, and because of this, they are named Slate and Cadmium. The third is named Jet because he’s black, and Jet is old English for black. See, creative. He also has a cat named Turtle. This does pose problems for his four-year-old from time to time. He one day dreams about owning the car from Supernatural, but only if it comes with Castiel. You can connect with Jason on Facebook, join his reader group, or visit his website at www.jacipriano.com