bento: Boxed lunch.

Fujinkai: Japanese Buddhist women's organization.

hakujin: Caucasian(s); white(s).

hiragana: The Japanese alphabet, written with a cursive style.

kanji: Chinese characters used in Japanese writing.

karuta: Card game played at New Year's.

-ken: A prefecture.

mochi: Japanese rice cake.

Nisei: American-born children of Japanese immigrants; second-generation Japanese Americans.

nishime: Dish made from vegetables cooked in soy sauce.

omusubi: Rice ball.

Sansei: American-born grandchildren of Japanese immigrants; third-generation Japanese Americans.

sekihan: Red rice, dish made with beans and rice, used in celebrations.

shikata ga nai: It can't be helped. There's nothing one can do.

tsukemono: Pickled vegetables.

-ya: Store; shop.