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.