Here's a list of several Japanese terms used in the series, movie & ova. Kudos go to Jeffrey's Japanese - English Dictionary Server for putting up such a useful site! ^^ Translation was also made possible with my trusty old Merriam-Webster's Japanese-English Dictionary, while historical info was taken from the World Book 2004. Email me for any errors and terms you'd like to add. Enjoy! ^^



aku | vice, evil, or wickedness

Aku Soku Zan | the principle that Saitou Hajime abides by. It roughly translates into 'kill evil instantly'.

baka | fool, idiot, trivial matter, folly

bakufu | the shogunate

bakumatsu | the closing days of the Tokugawa shogunate. Also denotes the end of the Edo era.

battou | drawing a sword; drawn sword

Battou Jutsu | a sword technique which Kenshin is a master of, hence the nickname 'Battousai'. It literally translates into 'the art of drawing a sword'.

bokken | a wooden sword. The weapon used by Kamiya Kaoru.

budou | martial arts or military arts. Bushido

Bushido | the moral code of warriors of feudal Japan. Also referred to as Japanese chivalry.

dama | ball or sphere

deshi | pupil, disciple, follower or apprentice. Seijurou Hiko refers to Kenshin as his 'baka deshi' meaning 'stupid pupil'.

doujou | also spelled as dojo. It is a hall used for martial arts training.

hanami | cherry blossom viewing or flower viewing. This is usually celebrated in Japan by gathering a picnic under lush cherry trees, eating, singing and dancing with friends, family and colleagues.

hitokiri | assassination

homura | flame, blaze

Homura Dama | the sword technique used by Shishio Makoto. It literally means 'ball of fire'.

ishin | restoration (e.g., Meiji)

Ishinshishi | Meiji patriot

itachi | a weasel, skunk, mink or ermine. Saitou used the term Itachi Musume or weasel girl to refer to Misao.

jinchuu | loyalty

jutsu | art, means

kashira | head. The Oniwabanshuu call Aoshi 'okashira', the term they use to refer to their leader or boss. I believe it was derived by adding the prefix 'o' to the noun kashira to signify respect.

katana | a sword, blade

kiheitai | cavalry, commandos

kendo | swordmanship, fencing

kenji | the name given to Kenshin & Kaoru's son. It means 'stalwart youth', although the intended meaning may vary depending on the kanji used to write the name.

kenjutsu | fencing

kenkaku | fencer, swordsman

kenpou | fencing, the Chinese art of self-defense

kitsune | fox

kodachi | a short or small sword. Aoshi's preferred choice of weapon.

Kodachi Nitou Ryuu | the technique used by Shinomori Aoshi. It literally means 'fencing with a short sword in each hand'.

kunai | Ninja throwing knives. Misao's weapon of choice.

makoto | truth, faith, fidelity, sincerity, trust, confidence, reliance, devotion

manga | comic, cartoon

mangaka | a cartoonist, manga artist

monkasei | pupil, disciple, follower

musume | daughter, unmarried young woman, or girl.

Nitou Ryuu | school which teaches the techniques of fencing with a sword in each hand

okami | mistress, landlady, hostess, or proprietress

okina | old man, venerable

Oniwabanshuu | also known as simply the Oniwaban, the Shogunate's "guard of the inner garden"

onsen | spa, hot spring

ookami | wolf

ougi | secrets, mysteries, hidden purpose

rurounin | wanderer

ryuu | style of, method of, manner of, or school of thought

sake | alcohol, fermented rice beverage, or Japanese rice wine.

sakura | cherry blossom or cherry tree

satoyama | an undeveloped woodland near a populated area, a settlement pattern of living in upland valleys and cultivating lower slopes

saya | scabbard or sheath

senpai | a term used to call one's senior or superior, an elder, older graduate, or progenitor

sensei | teacher, master, doctor

sessha | a humble and obsolete term used to refer to oneself. Often used by Himura Kenshin. It means "I".

shinai | a bamboo fencing stick. This is Myoujin Yahiko's weapon.

shingan | the mind's eye. This refers to Usui's ability to read people's hearts and minds, a blind swordsman who sees with his mind's eye, accurately predicting their movements as well as their intentions.

shishi | a patriot or public-spirited person

shougun | shogun, a general or great general. It refers to the warrior rulers who led Japan from the late 1100's to mid-1800's. The most powerful shogunate was founded in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu in Edo, which was the old capital of Japan. His rule lasted until 1867, and then the authority was returned to the emperor.

shoutou | a small knife or short sword. Used by Kenshin to refer to Tomoe's dagger.

tanabata | the Festival of the Weaver celebrated on July 7th. Also known as the Star Festival

tantou | a short sword or dagger

tanuki | a raccoon dog. The term they use to tease Kaoru.

ten | heaven, sky

tenchuu | heaven's (well-deserved) punishment

tenken | divine punishment

yado | inn, lodging

zanbatou | zanbato. It's a type of long sword. This was the weapon that Sanosuke initially used at the beginning of the series, thus earning the nickname 'Zanza'.