Key Concepts in Japanese Culture and Folklore

amae

The concept of dependence and indulgence, often seen in close relationships.

ura

Refers to the hidden or private side.

omote

Refers to the public or outward face.

honne

Refers to a person's true feelings.

tatemae

Refers to the social facade they present.

senpai

Seniors or mentors, commonly in schools and workplaces.

kohai

Juniors or protégés, commonly in schools and workplaces.

Ainu

The Indigenous people of northern Japan, especially Hokkaido.

giri

A sense of obligation or duty, often tied to social relationships.

Okinawa

Known for its unique culture and history, distinct from mainland Japan.

Ryukyu Islands

Known for their unique culture and history, distinct from mainland Japan.

Gaijin

A term for foreigners or outsiders in Japan.

on

A sense of gratitude or indebtedness that must be repaid.

obento

A Japanese lunch box, often elaborately prepared.

uchi

Represents the 'inside' group (family, close friends).

soto

Represents the 'outside' group (strangers, others).

nikkei

People of Japanese descent living outside Japan.

ie

The household or family system, emphasizing lineage and continuity.

furusato

A nostalgic sense of one's hometown or place of origin.

tanuki

A mythical creature in Japanese folklore, often depicted as a mischievous raccoon-dog.

oheso

Belly button or navel.

sakoku

The isolationist policy of Japan during the Edo period.

mobo

Modern boys who embraced Westernized lifestyles in the early 20th century.

moga

Modern girls who embraced Westernized lifestyles in the early 20th century.

yokai

Spirits or supernatural beings in Japanese folklore.

kawaii

Cute or adorable, a significant aesthetic in Japanese culture.

shojo

Themes of girlhood or young girls in Japanese media and culture.

Inari

A Shinto deity associated with rice, prosperity, and foxes.

enjo kosai

Compensated dating, often involving financial transactions in exchange for companionship.

cultural odor

The distinct cultural traits that are evident in Japanese media and products.

Kumamon

A popular Japanese mascot representing Kumamoto Prefecture.

kabuki

A traditional Japanese theater known for its stylized performances.

Takarazuka

An all-female musical theater troupe in Japan.

BL comics

Boys' Love comics, a genre focusing on romantic relationships between male characters.

Kuchi Saka no Onna

A Japanese urban legend about the 'Slit-Mouthed Woman.'

Ebisu

A Shinto god of fishing, prosperity, and good fortune.

Dharma

A Buddhist concept of cosmic law and order, also symbolized by Daruma dolls in Japan.

Amabie

A mythical Japanese yokai believed to bring good fortune and ward off plagues.

mukokuseki

Without nationality; often used to describe characters or products that lack cultural specificity.

kyarakuta guuzu

Character goods, merchandise featuring popular characters from media.