DWELLINGS
Kotatsu
One of the traditional Japanese heating devices. It is a table
covered with a piece of futon or quilt under which an electric
heating lamp is installed.
Sudare
A curtain-like blind made of split bamboo or reeds fastened
together with thread. It is hung at open windows in the Summer
to keep out the sun while admitting cool breezes.
Tatami
A straw mat which covers the floor of the room in a Japanese
house. It is usually rectangular in shape and padded to a thickness
of a few inches with straw mat work.
Tokonoma
A recessed alcove in a Japanese-style guest room. It is a
place of honor where a hanging scroll, a vase of arranged flowers,
or other ornaments are displayed.
Noren
A curtain hanging at the entrance of shops, restaurants, or
kitchens in private homes usually made of cotton, sometimes beads
and ropes. It originally indicated the nature of business and
longstanding history of the shop, but today it is used mostly
for decorative purpose.
Futon
A thick bed quilt or a mattress stuffed with cotton wool.
A set of futons is placed on tatami as bedding and are stowed
in a closet when not in use. It is a common to hang your futon
outside to air it out for about an hour a day (when weather permitts).
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FOODS
Udon
White noodles made from wheat flour, usually eaten hot in
soup.
Okonomiyaki
A Japanese-style pancake usually cooked on an iron grill.
It is made from wheat flour with bits of meat, seafood, egg and
chopped vegetable and flavored with 
Worcester
shire sauce and mayonnaise.
Gohei Mochi
A large paddle-like, soft rice cake barbecued in ground sesame,
soy sauce and sugar.
Sake
The rice "wine" which is a popular alcoholic drink
in Japan. It has a 
rather sweet flavor and characteristic
aroma, and is usually served warm.
Sashimi
Sliced raw fish eaten by dipping in soy sauce mixed with Wasabi
(Japanese horseradish). Among the most popular fish are tuna,
shrimp, and cuttlefish.
Shabushabu
One of the most popular foods in winter. Thinly sliced beef,
Tofu (bean curd) and vegetables are cooked in a boiling soup
stock in a pan on the table and eaten by dipping in special sauce.
Senbei
A sweetened or salted Japanese cracker. It is made by grinding
rice or wheat flour, steaming the dough, pressing it flat and
roasting it.
Soba
Brownish noodles made from buckwheat flour. Often eaten hot
in soup or cold and dipped into sauce before eating.
Natto
Steamed, fermented soybeans. It is mixed with soy sauce, mustard
and minced green onions.
Hobamiso
Red miso and mountain vegetables grilled on a magnolia leaf
(Hoba) over a charcoal brazier. A number of restaurants in Takayama
specialized in this dish.
Midarashi Dango
They are rice dumplings coated with soy sauce and grilled
on a stick.
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SPORTS
Karate
It originated in ancient China and developed into an art of
unarmed self-defense in Okinawa. It is characterized chiefly
by sharp, quick blows delivered with the hands and feet.
Kendo
A Japanese martial art of swordsmanship or fencing. Points
are scored by striking the opponent's head, wrist or body or
by thrusting to the neck with a bamboo stave called Shinai.
Judo
Originating as a Japanese art of self-defense without weapons.
Judo is now regarded as a sport. Its principle is to utilize
the opponent's balance to one's own advantage. Different colors
of belts worn represent one's degree of proficiency.
Sumo
This is the time-honored Japanese style of wrestling. Two
contestants are matched against one another in a ring. The match
is decided when one contestant is pushed out of the ring or any
part of his body except the soles of his feet touches the ground.
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GAMES
Go
Go is a traditional Japanese game played between two people.
The players alternatively place black and white stones on the
board until one player occupies the largest portion of the board
and captures the other's stones by surrounding them. Easy to
learn. Difficult to master.
Shogi
Shogi is the traditional Japanese version of the game of chess.
The two players alternatively move their pieces on the board
until one player checkmates the other's King.
Mah-Jong
One of the most popular indoor games in Japan. It is of Chinese
origin and is usually played by four and played with 144 titles
that are drawn and discarded until one player secures a winning
hand.
Pachinko
Pachinko is an obsession recreation for many Japanese. First
you buy some balls and put them in a machine. If a ball falls
between special pins, you get a lot of balls back from the machine.
If not, you lose the ball.
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CLOTHES
Kimono
A Japanese traditional loose-fitting
garment, with large sleeves, which is folded over at the front
and held in place by a wide sash called an Obi.
Geta
A pair of Japanese wooden clogs raised
off the ground by two wooden supports under the sole held on
by a V-shaped thong between the big toe and the other toes.
Yukata
A light cotton kimono for Summer wear.
It is used for general relaxation.
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