Chugaku
Junior high school. Years one to three.
Eikaiwa
As my contracting organisation (i.e. employer) is the Kumiyama Board of Education, it is my responsibility to contribute to the community in ways they deem fit. One such way is by holding eikaiwa, or adult english classes, for locals. These consist almost exclusively of retirees and housewives, so while they're technically part of my employment, they serve as wonderful social circles, and many eikaiwa members have extended a kind hand in helping me to adjust to life in Japan. I currently teach three separate eikaiwa groups, totally 5 classes a month.
Eto
A filler word. e.g.:"Err" "Um" "Ahh"
Gaijin
Gaijin is an abbreviation of the Japanese word gaikokujin, meaning "foreigner". The words can refer to nationality or ethnicity. The word is often the subject of debate as to its appropriateness, particularly in its shortened form.
Source: Wikipedia
Gaijin smash
"A Gaijin Smash is anytime a Westerner exerts inherent dominance over the Japanese people. We do what we want and they can't stop us. They do what we want because they can't stand up to us." gaijinsmash.net
Source: gaijinsmash.net
Ganguro
Ganguro is a fashion trend among many Japanese girls which peaked in popularity from the late 1990s to the early 2000s.
The basic look consists of bleached hair, a deep tan, both black and white eyeliners, false eyelashes, platform shoes (usually sandals or boots), and brightly colored outfits. Also typical of the "Ganguro Gal" look are cell phones covered with stickers, tie-dyed sarongs, mini-skirts, hibiscus flower hairpins, and lots of bracelets, rings and necklaces.
Source: Wikipedia
Happi Coats
Happi is a traditional Japanese straight-sleeved coat usually made of indigo or brown cotton and imprinted with a distinctive mon (crest).
Source: Wikipedia
Ichinensei
First year students.
Inaka
Country or rural Japan.
Kanji
Kanji are the Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese logographic writing system along with hiragana, katakana, and the Hindu-Arabic numerals. The Japanese term kanji literally means "Han characters".
Source: Wikipedia
Ninensei
Second year students.
Obi
Obi is a Japanese word referring to several different types of sashes worn with kimono and keikogi by both men and women.
Source: Wikipedia
Okonomiyaki
Okonomiyaki is a type of Japanese pan-fried batter cake with various ingredients.
Source: Wikipedia
Sannensei
Third year students.
Sensei
Sensei is a Japanese title used to refer to or address teachers, professionals such as doctors and lawyers, politicians, clergymen, and other authority figures.
Source: Wikipedia
Seppuku
Seppuku is a form of Japanese ritual suicide by disembowelment. Seppuku is also known in English as hara-kiri.
Source: Wikipedia
Sumimasen
An apology. "I'm sorry." "Excuse me."
Takoyaki
Takoyaki literally fried or baked octopus) is a popular Japanese dumpling made of batter, diced octopus, tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, konnyaku, and green onion, topped with okonomiyaki sauce, green laver (aonori), mayonnaise, and katsuobushi (fish shavings).
Source: Wikipedia
Yakisoba
Yakisoba, literally "fried noodles", is a dish often sold at festivals in Japan.
Source: Wikipedia
Yamamaba
Yamanba, sometimes written as "yamamba", is a fashion trend among young Japanese women. Starting with the bleached white hair and heavy tan of the ganguro girl, the yamanba adds white lipstick, white eye makeup, and sometimes brightly colored contacts, plastic clothing, and inappropriate accessories.
The term yamanba comes from a mountain hag, known as Yama-uba, whom the fashion is thought to resemble.
Source: Wikipedia
Yukata
Yukata is a Japanese summer garment. People wearing yukata are a common sight at fireworks displays, bon-odori festivals, and other summer events. The yukata is a casual form of kimono that is also frequently worn after bathing at traditional Japanese inns.
Source: Wikipedia