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HACHIKO DOG STATUE     Hachiko was a male Akita dog who everyday would go to the Shibuya Station to see his master off to work and would go to meet and walk home with him. After his master died the dog continued to go to the station for 11 years. The statue of Hachiko is a popular place to meet people.     In _Moldiver_ (Tape 3) one character asks another to meet her at the Hachiko Dog.     (LIT p.136 Vardaman-2 p.36) HACHIMAKI     The headband in Japan is associated with effort. Therefore when one is about to take on a difficult task one often will tie a headband on first. Samurai pu on  hachimaki before battle, students wear them while studying for difficult exams or at riots, office workers may wear them, a sushi chef will wear one as will carpenters.     In the _Student Days_ anime we see a hachimaki worn while studying for entrance exams.     (DJ v.1 p.40) HAGOITA     The wooden paddle used to play * hanetsuki *. These are often decorated with auspicious symbols or even silk collages making them more ornamental than functional. The use of complex silk decorations on hagoita dates from the 17th century and while the game itself is rarely played the craft of making decorated hagoita remains. These paddles are often sold at traditional * hagoita ichi * in December.     In One Hundred Years of Love ( _Rumic Theater_ chapter 5 p.132, top of page) we see Mrs. Hoshino as a child holding a hagoita.     (JFC p.75, Vardaman-2 p.54, JIE p.485) HAGOITA ICHI     A fair held in December to sell * hagoita * the paddle used to play * hanetsuki *. In Tokyo this is done at shrines including the Fukagawa Fudo Shrine and the Asakusa Shrine.     In One Hundred Years of Love ( _Rumic Theater_ chapter 5 p.132, top of page) we see Mrs. Hoshino as a child holding a hagoita.     (JFC p.75, Vardaman-2 p.54, JIE p.485, PEJLE p.92) HAGURO, MT     The name of a mountain, in Yamagata Prefecture in northwestern Japan, known for the * Shugendo * ascetics, known as * yamabushi * , who practice their discipline there.     In one of the inserts that comes with the first _Phantom Quest Corps_ video the character Rokkon is said to have studied ascetic practices on Mt. Hagoromo. The only mountain I can find with a name similar to this is Mt. Haguro. The yamabushi are known, among other things, for their ability to perform exorcisms, one of Rokkon's skills.     (JIE 486, 1724 Earhart-1) HAKAMA     Loose trousers tied over a * kimono * or haori. These are so loose that they can be mistaken for a skirt.     Kuno's clothes when you first see him, and often later, include hakama, in the _Ranma_ manga (v. 1 p.74) and _Ranma TV_ series (Tape 1 Episode 2).     Goemon in the _Fuma Conspiracy_, and other Lupin anime, wears hakama.     Kaieda in _Mai the Psychic Girl_ (v.1 p.46-7) often wears hakama.     In _Sanctuary_ (v.5 p.26) Isaoka wears hakama at an official event.     (JIE p.490) HAKAMAIRI     This is a visit to a grave to pray. When one does this they pour water over the memorial stone and burn incense. Often this is done during Higan, a period of time at the equinox.     We see such a visit in _Maison Ikkoku_ (v.1 p.59-63)     (LIJ p. 85) HAKONE     Hakone is a town located west of Tokyo near lake Ashinoko known for it's good view of Mt. Fuji.     In _Sanctuary_ (v.3 p. 84) a meeting takes place in Hakone.     (JIE p.491) HANABI     Fireworks manufacturing techniques were introduced into Japan in the 16th century by the Portuguese. Japanese fireworks are especially noted for their variety of floral star burst rockets. Fireworks displays are common during summer festivals. The most famous of these is the Sumidagawa Hanabi Taikai which is held in Tokyo on the last Saturday in July on the banks of the Sumida river.     We see fireworks at the Bon Festival in _Maison Ikkoku_ (v. 3 p.13).     Fireworks play a role in the first episode of _You're Under Arrest_.     Kenchii & Belldandy watch fireworks together in _Oh My Goddess_ (Tape 5).     Fireworks are part of a celebration in the _Theater of Life_ anime.     (LIT p.35, FoJ p.174, JIE p.376, Vardaman-2 p.42) HANAFUDE     Hanafuda is a gambling game played with forty eight cards (hanakaruta) in twelve suits, each card has a flower, plant, animal or poem on it representing a month of the year. Hanafuda is a combination of a traditional court matching game where plants and animals associated with the seasons were matched and western playing cards that were introduced by the Dutch. The goal of the game is to collect as many cards from matching suits as you can.     Ataru & Lum stayed up all night playing hanafude in _Urusei Yatsura_ (TV series Tape 6 Episode 21 story 42)     (LIJ p. 133, JIE p.496) HANAKARUTA see: * Hanafude * HAND GESTURES see: * Gestures * HANDKERCHIEF     Blowing one's nose in public is not considered polite in Japan. When it is done tissues are used and discarded. Handkerchiefs are used to wipe ones mouth, face or for drying hands, not for blowing noses.     A handkerchief is used to wipe a face in _Urusei Yatsura_ (TV series tape 8 Episode 30 story 53)     (Vardaman-1 p.13) HANETSUKI     A traditional badminton type game played with a * hagoita * (rectangular wooden paddle)  & bright shuttlecock. This game is traditionally played by girls on new years, those who fail to hit the shuttlecock with the hagoita get their faces dabbed with India ink. The game itself can be played by one person keeping the shuttlecock in the air or by two batting it back & forth. The tradition has it that the longer the shuttlecock is in the air the more one will be protected from mosquitoes.     In One Hundred Years of Love ( _Rumic Theater_ chapter 5 p.132, top of page) we see Mrs. Hoshino as a child holding a hagoita.     (JFC p.75, Vardaman-2 p.54, JIE p.498) HANGYOKU see: * Maiko * HAPPI COAT     The happi coat is a straight sleeved coat made of indigo or brown cotton and imprinted with a crest. Originally this was the family crest and worn by servants. Later it became common for shop and organization names to be on happi. Such coats are often worn by participants in festivals.     We see happi coats in the _Mermaid's Scar_ manga (p.57) worn by searchers for a missing young woman.     Kira wears a happi coat in the _Theater of Life_ anime     (FoJ p. 83, check JIE p.501) HARAE-GUSHI See: * Gohei * HARAKIRI see: * Seppuku * HASHI     Chopsticks are rather commonly known outside of Asia, even if many of us cannot properly use them. There are several kinds of hashi, these include: common ones for eating (often lacquered), disposable ones for eating (these are made of a single piece of wood that you break apart), and longs _meta_l ones for cooking.     Disposable chopsticks are usually broken after use due to an old belief that spirits could attach themselves to a discarded chopstick and make the user ill.     At home people often have their own chopsticks which no one else uses.     There are special long chopsticks, called waribashi, used for cooking.     There are proper manners for using chopsticks which are explained in several of the sources for this entry.     Natsumi accidentally breaks her disposable hashi near the end of the first _You're Under Arrest_.     We see red chop sticks used by Akane in the _Ranma TV_ series (Tape 6 Episode 16)     (LIJ p.158, LJS p.178, , Vardaman-1 p.67, Vardaman-2 p.26, JIE 197, TJ p.79) HAT see: * Sando-gasa * HATAKI     A hataki is made up of cloth strips on a stick and is used for knocking dust off surfaces to the floor where it can be swept or vacuumed up.     In _Maison Ikkoku_ (v.1 p.15 top of page) we see Kyoko using a hataki.     In _Urusei Yatsura_ (TV series Tape 3 Episode 9 story 18) Jariten uses such a duster.     (JFC p.49) HATSUMODE     Starting after 12 A. M. on the new year and continuing for a few days many Japanese will visit a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple to pray for what they desire in the new year.     In _Maison Ikkoku_ (v.2 p.81) Godai and Kyoko go to the temple for the new year.     (Vardaman-2 p.77, TJ p.59, MSK p.34) HAYAMA     Hayama is a coastal town located on the Miura Peninsula in southern Kanagawa Prefecture in central Honshu. As this area has a mild climate it is a resort area with a marina.     Part of story in the anime _Season of the Sun_ takes place in Hayama.     (JIE p.511) HAYASHI FUMIKO     1903-51 Novelist. One of four illegitimate children, all with different fathers. When she was about 7 years old her mother ran away with her common law husband's store manager. They took Fumiko with them and sold goods as they traveled throughout Kyushu. Rootles women and failed relationships are found in many of her works.     Hayashi Fumiko is the author of Horoki, part which is available in an anime version as _Wandering Days_.     (JIE p.512) HEADBAND see: * Hachimaki * HEARN, LAFCADIO     (1850-1904) Born on the Greek island of Lefkas of a Anglo-Irish father and Greek mother, he was raised in Dublin and later moved to the USA where he was a reporter. In 1889 he decided to go to Japan where he eventually married the daughter of a samurai, became a Japanese citizen (taking the name of Koizumi Yakumo) and taught English literature at Tokyo University until 1903. His works were instrumental in introducing Japanese society to the West.     He was the author of Kaidan which was the story animated under the _title_ of _Ghost Story_     (JIE p.514) HEARTH see: * Irori * HEIAN ERA     The Japanese historical period dated from 794-1185 or 1191, from when the capital was moved to Heian (present day * Kyoto *) until the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate.     The Heian court is parodied in the _Urusei Yatsura_ TV series (Tape 3 Episode 11 Story 21-22)     (JIE p.517, MSK p.177, MSN p.180) HEIKE FAMILY see: * Taira Family * HEIKEGANI     A species of crab (Dorippe japonica) whose shell has a pattern resembling a human face. It is believed that these are incarnations of the spirits of the Heike (* Taira Family *) warriors who were defeated at the Battle of Dannoura (* Dannoura no Tatakai *) in the Inland Sea.     We see crabs with this pattern in _Ghost Story_     (Joya-2 p.426, JIE p.253) HEISEI PERIOD     This is the name giver to the reign of the present emperor, Akihito, beginning on January 7 1989. Hei means Peace and Sei means achievement.     In the opening sequence of _The Phantom Quest Corps_ there is mention of the Heisei Period..     See also: * Nengo *     (JIE p.523, Vardaman-2 p.55) HEISHI FAMILY see: * Taira Family * HIBACHI     In the west we often think of hibachi as small square devices for charcoal cooking. In Japan this term is used for charcoal heating units that are often round, filled with ash and have tongs (hibashi) to move the coals. While these are sometimes also used to heat snacks or tea water their main purpose is to heat a room.     Princess Kurama is huddles over a hibachi in _Lum-1_ (p.379).     And Ataru is hit by one in _Urusei Yatsura_ (TV series Tape 3 Episode 11 Story 21-22)     (LIJ p.163, JIE p.525) HIGH SCHOOL _base_BALL WORLD SERIES see: * Koko-yakyu * HINAMATSURI     March 3rd is the day on which homes that have daughters display dolls on a tiered stand wearing traditional costumes & representing the Emperor, Empress & members of the Japanese royal court . This is seen a both a thanksgiving for the health of the girls & as a prayer for their happiness.     There are two _style_s of arraigning the dolls for the Emperor & Empress. The Kyoto _style_ has the Empress on the left side of the Emperor (as you face the dolls) the Edo _style_ has the Emperor on the left side. The doll on the right side is in the superior position and this custom started at a time a daughter of the city of Edo became Empress.     We see an example of the empress on the right in the _Urusei Yatsura_ TV series (Tape 5 Episode 18 story 35)     (LIJ p. 84, JFC p.80, Vardaman-2 p.37-8, Joya-2 p.114) HIROSHIMA     Hiroshima city is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture in western Honshu. A port city Hiroshima is on the Inland Sea coast. Hiroshima was a castle town in the Edo period. Today it is a major city with manufacturing in the areas of machinery, automobiles and food processing.     Hiroshima is mentioned _Blue Seed_ (Tape 2 Episode 4)     (JIE p.541) HISAGO     A dried out hollow gourd, larger ones are used for carrying sake, smaller ones for spices or pills. This gourd has a shape which is narrower in the center allowing a cord for carrying to be tied around it.     An example of drinking from one is seen near the end of the _Zenki_ story The Jar of Desires (Tape 2 Episode 4).     In the _Urusei Yatsura_ TV series (Tape 3 Episode 9 Story 17) When we see a * tengu * drinking from a small hisago, Ataru thinks it wants to take medicine.     (JIE p.542) HOKKAIDO     The most northern and second largest of the four major islands of Japan. Hokkaido is known for cold weather and large scale dairy farming. The capitol of Hokkaido is * Sapporo *.     In _Ranma_ (TV Tape 3 Episode 7) Ryoga is seen in Hokkaido asking directions from a dairy farmer.     In _Sanctuary_ (v.2 p.91) Hojo goes to Hokkaido to meet Mr. Ichijima.     Ryoko Takeuchi in the Blue Seed series (Tape 2 Episode 4) is originally from Hokkaido.     (TJ p.52, JIE p.551) HORIMONO see * Irezumi * HORYUJI TEMPLE     A monastery temple in the town of Ikaruga in Nara Prefecture. The origin of the temples is said to be in the 7th century. The temple grew over time and became a major religious center for the Hosso sect of Buddhism. It contains many famous works of art and is a major artistic treasure itself.     Horyuji temple is seen in _Urusei Yatsura_ (TV series Tape 6 Episode: Spring Special 2)     (WWJ p.16, 19. JIE p.564) HOT SPRINGS see: * Onsen * HOTARU     Fireflies. Firefly viewing is a traditional pastime in Japan. There is also a folk belief that the souls of the dead take the form of fireflies.     This folk belief puts _The Grave of the Fireflies_ in a very different light.     We also see fireflies in the _Hakkenden_ (Tape 2 Episode 4)     (JIE p.376) HOTEI see: * Shichifuku-jin * HYDRANGEA see: * Ajisai * HYOTAN see: * Hisago * IGO see: * Go * IKARUGADERA see: * Horyuji Temple * IMPERIAL UNIVERSITY see: * Teikoku Daigaku * IN see: * Inzo * INGEI see: * Inzo * INK ON FACE see: * Brushing ink on face * INK see: * Sumi * INN see: *Ryokan* INRO     Containers with small compartments that were hung from a * kimono * sash, these were used for carrying small _object_s and medicine.     In _Lum-2_ (p.6) Mendo is holding an inro with the family crest on it.     (LIJ p.44, JIE p.612) INZO     Also known in the West as mudras, these are symbolic hand positions often seen in Buddhist art. These gestures are done with and without _object_s held in the hands. Inzo are used in Buddhist rituals & in magical practices.     You will notice some such gestures used by characters in _Zenki_ and the  _Phantom Quest Corps_     (LIJ p. 29, JIE p.622, WWJ p.33) IREZUMI     Tattoos. These have taken various forms in Japanese history. One form is the tattooing of criminals to identify them. The most famous form of tattooing is the large beautiful multi colored art works tattooed on people. While they are large enough to cover most of a persons back and upper arms these tattoos are usually done in such a manner that they cannot be seen if the person is wearing a short sleeved shirt.  Tattoos have a certain association with * yakuza * so the sight of tattoos can be intimidating to the average Japanese.     We see an example of a yakuza tattoo in  Sanctuary (v.1 p.206)     (Vardaman-2 p.110, JIE p.1532) IRIS FESTIVAL see: * Kodomo-no-Hi * IRORI     A traditional sunken hearth that heated the home as well as the place where cooking took place. These were square pits in the floor with a hook (* Jizaikagi *) suspended over the fire to hold a cooking pot or water kettle.     Yuta and an old man sit at a fire pit in the _Mermaid's Scar_ manga (p.7).     Mai sleeps next to a irori without a Jizaikagi in _Mai the Psychic Girl_ (v.1 p.97).     We see an example of irori on Neptune in _Lum-1_ (p.211).     Examples in anime include:     _Urusei Yatsura_ (TV series Tape 2, Episode 8, story 15).     _Zenki_ (Tape 3 Episode 6).     _Hakkenden_ (Tape 1 Episode 2)     (JIE p.625) IRUMA     A city in southern Saitama Prefecture, central Honshu. Iruma was a market and post-station town in the Edo period' Famous for its tea Iruma also has textile and brewing industries.     The Self Defense Force _base_ at Iruma is mentioned in _Patlabor 2_ and seen in _Blue Seed_ (Tape 1 Episode 1)     (JIE p.626) ISHI- DOrO     Stone lanterns. These come in a variety of shapes but have the common feature of a hollowed out upper section with an enclosed top to hold an oil lamp or candle. Often these are used as decorations in private, temple or shrine gardens. Originally these were only in Buddhist temple gardens and not found in private gardens but in the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1568-1600) tea masters (see: * Cha-no-Yu *) started to decorate tea gardens with them.     A stone lantern is seen in the garden of a home in _Blue Seed_ (Tape 1 episode 1)     A stone lantern is at temples in _You're Under Arrest_ (Tape 4) and the _Wandering Days_ anime Stone lanterns are also seen in:     _Hakkenden_ (Tape 3 Episode 5)     _Mermaid Forest_ video     _Zenki_ (Tape 2 Episode 5)     _Kaidan_     _Mai the Psychic Girl_ (v.1 p.66-7)     (JIE p.878) ISHIHARA SHINTARO     1932- A novelist and politician who was born in Kobe and graduated from Hitotsubashi University. He started publishing in 1954. His 1955 work Taiyo No Kisetsu resulted in his winning both the Bungakukai's newcomers award and the * Akutagawa Prize * In 1989 he collaborated with Morita Akio in writing No to ieru Nihon (The Japan That Can Say No)     Ishihara Shintaro's work Taiyo No Kisetsu is available in an anime version as _Season of the Sun_.     (JIE p.629) ITO SACHIO     1864-1913 A tanka poet and novelist. His real name was Ito Kojiro and he was born in Chiba Prefecture. His 1906 love story Nogiku No Haka has become a popular classic.     Ito Sachio's Nogiku No Haka is available in an anime version as _The Grave of the Wild Chrysanthemum_ .     (JIE p.638) IZUMI KYOKA     1873-1939 A novelist his real name was Izumi Kyotaro and he was born in Kanazawa (Ishikawa Prefecture) into an artisan family. Izumi was known to be eccentric and superstitious and the supernatural is common in his writings.     Izumi Kyoka is the author of Koyahijiri part of which is available in an anime version as _The Priest of Mt. Kouya_.     (JIE p.644) JAN-KEN     Often known in the west as Scissors, Paper, tone. This is a very simple game where two or more p_layer_s shout jan ken pon! and shape their hand into one of three shapes. The winner is determined by the following combinations, scissors wins over paper as scissors cut paper, paper wins over stone as paper covers stone and stone wins over scissors as stone breaks scissors. This is often used in much the same way that a westerner would toss a coin. I remember using jan-ken as a child in rural California more often than tossing coins.     In _Sanctuary_ (v.1 p.144 and v.2 p.212) we see cases of jan-ken used to make certain decisions.     C-ko plays jan-ken with Mari in _Project A-Ko_ (Tape 1)     (LIJ p.115, JFC p.67, JIE p.647) JAPAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION see: * Nippon Hoso Kyokai * JAPAN COMMUNIST PARTY see: * Nihon Kyosanto * JAPAN RAILWAYS     A nationwide private network of railways and related companies. formed in 1987 by the privatization of the Japanese National Railways.     Japan Rail is disrupted in _Tenchi Muyo!_ (Tape 2)     (JIE p.696) JAPANESE CHESS see: * Shogi * JAPANESE INDUSTRIAL STANDARDS see: * Nihon Kogyo Kikaku * JAPANESE INN see: * Ryokan * JE ARU see: * Japan Railways * JIEITAI     Commonly referred to in English as the Self Defense Forces or SDF. These are the  Forces who's job if to defend Japan from attack. The 9th article of the 1947 constitution of Japan forbids Japan from having an army. In 1950 General Douglas MacArthur, commander of occupation forces in Japan, ordered the creation of the National Police Reserve (Keisatsu Yobitai) to replace allied troops sent to the war in Korea. In 1952 this force was renamed the National Safety Forces (Hoantai) In 1954 the forces were reorganized as the Self Defense Forces (Jieitai). The divisions of the Self Defense Forces is the Ground Self Defense Force (Rikujo Jieitai), the Maritime Self Defense Force (Kaijo Jieitai) ad the Air Self Defense Force (Koku Jieitai). The SDF is a controversial institution in Japan given the possibility of the very existence of the SDF being unconstitutional.     We see the SDF in the _Urusei Yatsura_ TV series (Tape 1, episode 1, story 1)     In _Patlabor 2_ the SDF plays a major role in the story.    We see some SDF facilities in _Blue Seed_ (Tape 1 episode 1)     The implications of the 9th article  of the constitution in relation to the SDF is discussed in _Sanctuary_ (v.5 p.73)     (JIE p.1341) JIS see: * Nihon Kogyo Kikaku * JIYU MINSHUTO     The Liberal Democratic Party. Formed in 1955 by the merger of two conservative parties, the Liberal Party (Jiyuto) and the Japan Democratic Party (Nihon Minshuto). Until fairly recently this party rule Japan for nearly 40 years .     This political party plays a major role in the _Sanctuary_ series.     (JIE p.888) JIZAIKAGI     A device for suspending cooking pots over a traditional Japanese hearth (* Irori *). This consisted of a hollow bamboo tube with an iron rod inserted in it, there is a horizontal piece attached to the rod that can be adjusted up or down to raise or lower the cooking pot or water kettle. This horizontal piece is often in the shape of a fish.     We get a good view of a jizaikagi in the _Mermaid's Scar_ manga (p.7).     We also see jizaikagi in:     _Ranma_ (TV Tape 3 Episode 7).     _Hakkenden_ (Tape 5 Episode 8).     _Lum-1_ (p.211)     (JIE p. 688) JIZO     A very popular * bodhisattva * who is seen as a savior of children and those suffering in hell. Small statues of Jizo are often seen by the side of the road in Japan, sometimes in groups and often with a cloth or bib around the image's neck.     These road side statues show up several times in _The Hakkenden_.     In the _Ranma TV_ series (Tape 6 Episode 17) a statue of Jizo is used to hit Ranma.     A boy prays at a Jizo statue in _Urusei Yatsura_ (TV series Tape 8 Episode 30 story 53)     (JIE p.688, LIJ p.33, JFC p.166, Vardaman-2 p.17) JR see: * Japan Railways * JUDO     The way of Softness' One of the most famous of the Japanese martial arts. Judo is a technique of unarmed combat that relies on throwing (nagewaza), grappling (katamewaza) and attacking vital points (atemiwaza). Judo evolved in the late 19th century from jujutsu an older unarmed martial art. Skill in judo or * kendo * is required of all police officers in Japan and lower level officer cannot be promoted without showing skill in one of these martial arts. Many schools also have judo as a sport, this was prohibited by the occupation for a period of time after W.W. II but was allowed again starting in 1951.     We see a judo toss in _You're Under Arrest_ (Tape 1).     There is a judo club at the high school in _El Hazard_ (Tape 1: 1st night).     (Joya-2 p.509, JIE p.697, Vardaman-2 p.60, Parker-1 p.69) JUNI-JINSHO     Twelve gods who are the guardians of Yakushi-Nyorai the Buddhist Physician of Souls. The twelve correspond to the twelve months of the Chinese calendar. It is common for the deity associated with one's birth month to be seen as one's guardian deity.     In _Lupan - Fuma Conspiracy_ the Twelve Guardians of Yakushinyora are mentioned in the  scene where old man is pulled out of the water.     (MSN p.50) JUROJIN see: * Shichifuku-jin * JUZU BEADS     A rosary of beads used to keep count while reciting the name of the Buddha.     The Hadja priest in the _Phantom Quest Corps_ (Tape 2 Episode 4) story Lover Come Back To Me carries a small set of these beads as does one of the praying members of the chemistry club in the _Ranma TV_ series (Tape 3 Episode 8 ).     (JIE p.135)