azuki: Red beans.

bunka: Culture; civilization.

chazuke: Boiled rice with tea poured on it.

Issei: First-generation Japanese immigrant in America.

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

kabuki: A form of Japanese drama dating from the 17th century, it is based on popular themes, with male and female roles performed exclusively by men, chiefly in formalized pantomime, dance, and song.

koi: Carp.

kokeshi: Limbless wooden doll.

koto: A Japanese harp or zither.

manga: Cartoon; comic.

miso: Soybean paste, often used in Japanese cooking.

mizuhiki: Decorative Japanese cord made from twisted paper.

mochi: Japanese rice cake.

natto: Fermented soybeans.

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

odori: Dance; dancing.

otsukemono: Pickled vegetables.

saba: Mackerel.

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

sashimi: Thin slices of raw fish.

shogun: General, generalissimo.

taiko: Japanese drums.

takuan: Pickled daikon radish.

udon: Japanese wheat noodle.

yakisoba: Fried noodles with vegetables and meat.

yukata: An informal kimono for summer wear.