baishakunin: Go-between for arranged marriages; matchmaker.

hanamatsuri: Buddha's birthday festival, celebrated on April 8.

Issei: First-generation Japanese immigrant in America.

ken: A prefecture.

Kibei: American-born person of Japanese ancestry sent to Japan for formal education and socialization when young and later returned to the U.S.

koto: A Japanese harp or zither.

mochi: Japanese rice cake.

Nihonmachi: Japantown.

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

Obon: The summer Bon festival, a Buddhist festival, which honors ancestors.

ozouni: Traditional New Year';s dish.

sake: Japanese liquor; rice wine.

sensei: A teacher.

shamisen: A Japanese instrument, similar to a banjo.

taiko: Japanese drums.