baishakunin: Go-between for arranged marriages; matchmaker.

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

hapa: A Hawaiian term for a person of mixed ethnic parentage.

Issei: First-generation Japanese immigrant in America.

jogakkou: Girl's school.

katana: Sword.

ken: A prefecture.

kimono: A robe with wide sleeves and a sash, part of traditional costume of Japanese men and women.

niisan: Older brother.

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

ojisan: Uncle; middle-aged gentleman.

oneesan: Older sister.

sake: Japanese liquor; rice wine.

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

senninbari: "Thousand stitch belt," made by a mother to protect her soldier son in battle. Into the cloth belt is sewn a thousand knots, and each knot is supposed to be sewn by a different woman.