baishakunin: Go-between for arranged marriages; matchmaker.

banzai: Cheers; congratulations.

gaman: Patience, perseverance.

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

inu: Literally "dog," a commonly used term for Japanese Americans who were perceived as being informants for the War Relocation Authority administration and other governmental authorities.

Issei: First-generation Japanese immigrant in America.

jiichan: Grandfather.

judo: A form of Jujitsu developed as a sport and a means of self-defense without the use of weapons.

kanshin: Careful investigation.

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.

koseki: An extract of one's family register.

monku: Complaint, grumbling.

Nikkei: A person of Japanese ancestry.

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

sake: sake: Japanese liquor; rice wine.

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

shikata ga nai: It can't be helped. There's nothing one can do.

tanomoshi: To rely on or depend on; Japanese American savings associations formed for mutual financial support.

yoshi: Adopted child, usually male.