baishakunin: Go-between for arranged marriages; matchmaker.
enryo: Humble, reserved; modesty; hesitancy to speak out; refusal of an invitation, especially the first one.
hakujin: Caucasian(s); white(s).
houji: Buddhist memorial service
Issei: First-generation Japanese immigrant in America.
Nihonjinkai: An association of Japanese people.
Nisei: American-born children of Japanese immigrants; second-generation Japanese Americans.
Shikata ga nai: It can't be helped. There's nothing one can do.