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.