Yamato Glossary
A small help in case you encounter words you find hard to understand, but they may pop up over and over in your story:
Honorifics & Name Endings
-san (さん): A polite, neutral honorific used for adults. Example: “Ieyasu-san.”
-sama (さま): A respectful, formal, or reverent honorific. Often used for nobles, deities, or esteemed individuals.
-kun (くん): Typically used toward younger males or juniors; can also be friendly toward peers.
-chan (ちゃん): Used for children, close friends, or cute/familiar girls and young women. Can express affection or endearment.
-sensei (先生): Used for teachers, masters, or experts in a field, including martial arts instructors or spiritual guides.
Family Address – In Yamato, respect is key when addressing relatives. Parents are called Otōsan (father) and Okāsan (mother), siblings onīsan/onēsan (older brother/sister) or otōto/imōto (younger brother/sister). Grandparents are Ojīsan (grandfather) and Obāsan (grandmother). Using these terms conveys respect and familial closeness; casual nicknames may be used only among intimate family members.
Extended Family – Aunts are called Oba and uncles Oji. Cousins are typically referred to as Itoko, with distinctions like older cousin (Itoko-san) or younger cousin (Itoko-kun/chan) depending on age and gender. These terms convey respect and familial bonds, and formal suffixes are often added in polite or ceremonial contexts.
Common Expressions & Manners
Itadakimasu (いただきます): Said before a meal to express gratitude for the food.
Gochisousama (ごちそうさま): Said after a meal to thank the cook or host.
Arigatou / Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとう / ありがとうございます): “Thank you,” casual and polite forms.
Sumimasen (すみません): “Excuse me” or “I’m sorry,” used to get attention or apologize.
Onegaishimasu (お願いします): “Please,” often used when requesting a favor or service.
Sugoi (すごい): “Amazing,” “incredible,” or “wow!” Expresses admiration or surprise.
Daijoubu (大丈夫): “It’s okay,” “I’m fine,” or “don’t worry.”
Clothing & Items
Kimono (着物): Traditional Japanese robe, worn by both genders, formal or casual depending on design.
Yukata (浴衣): Lightweight cotton robe, usually worn in summer festivals or for relaxation.
Obi (帯): Wide sash used to secure kimono or yukata.
Geta (下駄): Elevated wooden sandals, often worn with kimono, yukata, or for ceremonial occasions.
Katana (刀): Traditional curved sword, often associated with samurai.
Wakizashi (脇差): Short sword, paired with katana for ceremonial or combat purposes.
Bow (Yumi / 弓): Traditional longbow, used by samurai, hunters, and martial artists.
Tessen (鉄扇): Iron fan used as weapon or tool for distraction and defense.
Shikigami (式神): Spirit familiars summoned by Onmyoji to aid in combat or tasks.
Daily Life & Social Cues
Bowing: A gesture of respect, apology, or greeting. Depth and duration indicate degree of respect.
Gift Giving: Common in formal interactions; often small, symbolic, or handmade items. Presentation is as important as the gift itself.
Silence & Pauses: Thoughtful silence can show respect or contemplation; interrupting can be rude.
Sharing Food / Tea: Offering food or tea is a sign of hospitality and camaraderie.
Respect for Elders & Superiors: Addressing elders with proper honorifics and deferential language is expected.
Indirect Communication: People may imply rather than state things outright; reading social cues is important.
Public Display of Affection (PDA) & Intimacy – In Yamato, public displays of affection are generally restrained and subtle. Open expressions of love or passion are considered impolite, especially in formal or sacred settings. Holding hands, a light touch, or a close bow is acceptable, while kissing or more intimate acts are reserved for private spaces. Couples are expected to prioritize social harmony, showing their feelings with discretion. In recent years, younger generations have begun to relax these norms, though older individuals may still take issue if the boundaries are pushed too far.
Special Ritual & Cultural Terms
Harae (祓え): Purification rituals to cleanse objects, people, or spaces of spiritual impurities.
Ema (絵馬): Wooden plaques where wishes or prayers are written and hung at shrines.
Kagura (神楽): Sacred dances or performances meant to honor kami and maintain spiritual harmony.
Shikigami (式神): Spirits conjured by Onmyoji for tasks or combat.
Kannagara (神ながら): Acting in accordance with the natural and divine order; a guiding principle in daily life and spirituality.
Hanabi Matsuri (花火祭り): Fireworks festivals held during summer, blending celebration, art, and spiritual respect for the kami. Also a time to find a romantic partner if you are unmarried.
Sakura Viewing (花見, Hanami): Springtime tradition of admiring cherry blossoms, reflecting on the transience of life, community gatherings, and seasonal beauty. A family tradition mostly.
Omiai (お見合い): Arranged meetings with the purpose of marriage, often involving formal introductions and negotiation between families, emphasizing social duty and alliance. Love is on the backburner here. A very political and economical tradition.
Food & Culinary Culture
Rice (米, Gohan): Staple food with deep spiritual and symbolic significance; represents sustenance, life, and connection to the kami. Bags and sacks of rice are also used as a trading currency or to pay Samurai or other people for their services.
Popular Fish: Salmon, sea bream (tai), eel (unagi), mackerel (saba), often prepared in grilled, broiled, or ceremonial forms.
Popular Meats: Chicken (yakitori), boar (inoshishi), deer (shika) — often prepared for festivals or special feasts.
Spiritual Meals: Food offerings at shrines or during festivals are a way to honor kami and ancestors.
Sake (酒) – A traditional rice wine, sake is used in Yamato both for drinking and ritual purposes. It symbolizes hospitality, celebration, and spiritual connection. Sake is poured at festivals, offered to kami, and shared among friends or allies to strengthen bonds. Stronger varieties are reserved for ceremonies, while everyday sake accompanies meals and social gatherings.
Tea (茶, Cha) – Tea represents mindfulness, respect, and tranquility in Yamato. Central to the tea ceremony (chanoyu), it is prepared and served with care, fostering harmony and reflection. Tea is offered to guests, used in formal gatherings, or enjoyed alone to promote calm and contemplation.
Social & Organizational Terms
Brothels: Institutions offering companionship and entertainment; historically both social hubs and sources of discreet political influence. Also a great place for gathering spicy and helpful information. Or loosing your money very fast. When people fall into debt, it is common to "sell" their daughter to a brothel, where she has to serve and accumulate money to repay the debt for her parents. She can be bought free from someone, if this person is willing to settle the debt of her family for her or she is able to buy herself free after some years - or if she is considered too old, which is around the age of 30. Brothels have a very strict hierarchy, often led by an older woman, and a very strict rule codex, but they also can be a chance. They educate the girls in writing, reading, finances and the arts, as well as communication and maintaining a household. They get food, clothes and a roof above their heads and they have acces to medical treatment if needed. If they get pregnant, the child can live and stay with them and is raised communally. But this comes all in exchange for their services, no matter how depraved those may be, which is the downside.
Gambling Dens: Locations where games of chance are played; sometimes under informal regulation by factions or local powers like the Yakuza. Most of them are illegal and the reason for family fathers to fall into debt, so that they have to sell their daughters to the local brothel.
Yakuza: The mafia of Yamato. Organized criminal groups with hierarchical structures, often managing gambling, protection, drugs, prostitution, orphanages, rescue teams and illicit trade while maintaining complex codes of honor and loyalty. The Azure Scales are the biggest crime organisation, a ryujin-led Yakuza.