sat at the end of the room. He did not see me at first, for he was busy
bowing to all the guests. It was only when he took his place opposite
me that he looked at me. I saw that he knew me. His face grew suddenly
bright, and he said very softly, “Shorei!” and I answered as well as I
could, for I was nearly choking with joy, “I am Fumi.” That was enough.
Now he is my own in this new life, and nothing, not even death, can
part us again, I believe.
FOOTNOTES:
[55] A stringed instrument which takes the place in a Japanese girl’s
education that the piano does with us.
[56] A dish made of cold rice mixed with a variety of ingredients, and
as usual for Japanese entertainments as sandwiches are in America.
GLOSSARY
_Amado_, lit. “rain doors,” the sliding wooden shutters that close the
house in stormy weather or at night.
_Amazaké_, a sweet, thick, slightly fermented rice soup.
_Amé_, a sweetmeat made from wheat gluten.
_Ameya_, a seller of _amé_.
_Amma_, a masseur.
_Andon_, a paper lantern used as a night-light.
_Bāya_, a term used in addressing an old woman servant, like “Aunty” or
“Mammy” in the South.
_Bon Matsuri_, or _O Bon_, the annual Feast of the Dead.
_Botchan_, “Little Mr. Priest,” the universal title of the small boy,
probably on account of his shaven head.
_Bōzu_, Buddhist priest.
_Dori_, street.
_Fudō_, the Buddhist God of Wisdom.
_Furoshiki_, a square of cloth used for wrapping bundles.
_Furugiya_, old clothes dealer.
_Futon_, the heavy quilts used in making a Japanese bed.
_Go chiso_, “honorable entertainment,” applied to especially nice food.
_Go Inkyo Sama_, a title given to an old person who has retired from
active participation in the affairs of life.
_Hachiman_, the Shintō God of War.
_Hai_, “Yes,” or “I am listening.”
_Heimin_, the common people as distinguished from the military or
samurai class.
_Hibachi_, a fire-box or brazier.
_Inari_, the God of Rice, whose messengers are foxes.
_Jiiya_, a title for an old man servant, used much as “Uncle” is used
in the South.
_Jizō_, a Buddhist saint, helper especially of the souls of little
children.
_Kakemono_, a scroll to hang on the wall.
_Kitsuné_, a fox.
_Kotatsu_, a fire-box in the floor over which is set a rack, and the
whole covered by a heavy comfortable.
_Koto_, a stringed instrument.
_Koyo Kwan_, the Maple Club Inn.
_Kuruma_, a jinrikisha.
_Kurumaya_, a jinrikisha man.
_Kwannon_, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy.
_Miya mairi_, the presentation of a baby in the temple.
_Mochi_, rice dumpling, a festival dish.
_Montzuki_, the ceremonial dress, made all of one plain color, faced
and lined with white, and with the monogram or family crest of the
wearer on sleeves and back.
_Niō_, “Two Kings,” Indra and Brahma, who keep guard at the outer gates
of Buddhist temples to scare away demons.
_Noshi_, a bit of bright-colored paper folded about a piece of sea-weed
and slipped under the string of a present.
_Ōban_, a large, oval gold coin, worth about eighty dollars, now out of
use.
_Obi_, sash.
_O Bon_, see _Bon Matsuri_.
_O Jo Sama_, the title used in speaking to or about a young unmarried
lady.
_O kaeri_, “Honorable return,” the greeting to a returning guest or
member of the family.
_O Mi age_, a present brought back to one who stays at home.
_O Sushi_, a dish made of cold rice mixed with a variety of ingredients.
_O Tottsu San_, Father.
_Rin_, a coin worth about a half mill.
_Saké_, rice wine.
_Samurai_, the military class.
_Sayo de gozaimasu_, “It is honorably so.”
_Sayo nara_, “Good-by,” lit. “If it must be.”
_Shoji_, the light sliding sashes covered with paper which close in a
Japanese house.
_Soroban_, the abacus or counting-frame used by merchants throughout
the East.
_Tabi_, a mitten-shaped sock worn in the house, and with clogs or
sandals out of doors.
_Tadaima_, “Just now!” the response to _O kaeri_.
_Tempō sen_, a large, oval copper coin worth about eight mills, now out
of use.
_Tengu_, a wood goblin.
_To chirimen_, lit. “foreign crape,” a thin woolen material used for
the cheaper undergarments, sashes, etc.
_Tokonoma_, the alcove in which pictures are hung in a Japanese room.
_Torii_, an erection in the form of a gateway that marks the entrance
to a temple or sacred place.
_Uma_, horse.
_Yashiki_, a palace or fine house.
_Yen_, the Japanese monetary unit, worth about fifty cents.
_Yoshitsuné_, a hero of the twelfth century.
The Riverside Press
_Electrotyped and printed by H. O. Houghton & Co._
_Cambridge, Mass., U. S. A._
Transcriber’s Notes
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
Perceived typographical errors have been silently corrected.
Variations in spelling have been retained as printed.
Footnotes have been moved to the end of each chapter.