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Archaic 'No Gaijin could ever learn it' Words
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接吻 - seppun
(a kiss)
Be a romantic samurai!
毒見役 doku mi yaku
(a taster (of food or drink) for poison)

SUGGESTED USAGE: 毒見役をして下さい,ね。
doku mi yaku o shite kudasai, ne.
Please taste this (drink) and tell me if it was poisoned.

斬り捨て御免 kiri sute gomen
(How to explain this one! Well during Edo Period samurai were allowed to kill anyone they saw fit (see Shogun). You will recognize the "ごめん gomen" part as an appology but the first part "きりすて kirisute" refers to the right for samurai to kill. so this was said after a samurai killed someone.)It usually gets their attention. I will leave it to you to find a context for this... :)
久方振り hisa kata bu ri
(It has been a long time)
Same as 久しぶり hisashiburi (modern Japanese) but old Japanese; used by samurai and strange gaijin.
目安箱 meyasubako
(This was a comment box used during the ?Edo? Period so that common folk could convey requests or complaints to the shogun) I found this one at one of my schools for the kids to write to the teachers! hmmm
江戸子 edokko
(edo's child - born and raised in Tokyo)
Edo is the old name for Tokyo. If you can claim ?3rd? generation born in Tokyo (Edo) you can also claim the name "江戸子"

SUGGESTED USAGE: When someone asks you, "Where are you from?" you can answer in a proud and confident voice.
"
僕は江戸子でござる"
boku ha edokko de gozaru.

かわず - kawazu
(old word for かえる kaeru- Frog)
I have gotten instant respect for this one. (also see under Poetry)
果たし合い ha ta shi a i
(a duel)
Let us cling swords!
果たし状 ha ta shi jou
(a letter of challenge)
If you receive this, run. Useful if someone hands you a letter you can't read. 果たし状 ですか hatashijou desu kaIs this a letter of challenge?

許婚 iinazuke
(old word for fiance)
Good if you are engaged.

お呼びにございますか。 oyobi ni gozaimasu ka?
(What is thy bidding? (lit. Did you call?))
This is a very humble way of saying, 'What do ya want?'

仰せの通りに oo se no toori ni
(As you wish.)
If you meet the emporer and he commands you to do something, this is what you would say.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
   
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Wow me Baby!

Essential Phrases * Everyday Life Words * Archaic 'no gaijin could ever learn it' words * Interesting Words * Spy & Ninja Words * Pop Culture Words * Poetry and Literary Essential knowledge * I, me, you, thou... * Favorite words * Comments and Suggestions

By
Clay & Yumi Boutwell

Last updated:
Tuesday, June 27, 2000