Inuyasha - Manga Glossary - Other Misc. Items

INUYASHA: SENGOKU O-TOGI ZOUSHI:
MANGA GLOSSARY & EXTRA READING NOTES

GLOSSARY MAIN || PEOPLE & PLACES || ATTACKS & WEAPONRY || OTHER MISC. ITEMS

Other Miscellaneous Items

Heian Jidai (794-1185):
Historically speaking, this is the era of Japan that takes place from 794-1185 AD. Although not specifically mentioned in the manga, in the Shogakukan guidebook the Ougikaidan, it's confirmed that Midoriko (the miko from whom the Shikon Jewel was born) was from around this period of time. So the jewel has been around anywhere from 300 - 700 years by the Sengoku jidai.

Sengoku Jidai (1478-1603):
Historically speaking, this is the era of Japan, often referred to as "mideval" or "warring states era," which takes place between 1478-1603 AD. Inuyasha seems to take place around the 1550’s. This is known because Oda Nobunaga is mentioned (presumably before or as he was he becoming a warlord) in both the manga and the anime. Nobunaga’s rise as a daimyou (warlord) happened around the 1560’s and lasted until the 1580’s. The Nobunaga character in Inuyasha was NOT Oda, and it's not really said whether or not he knew Oda as a relation or by reputation. However, they do mention Owari, which is where Oda was born. So the Nobunaga in the manga might be a relative somehow. In later chapters with the Shichinintai, it's shown that Japan had been introduced to guns, and seemingly pretty recently.

Fuyouheki:
un-magic barrier
This thing is got a lot of reference past its introduction in Chapter 337. Anyhow, it's created from a stone, which is also called "mamori ishi" (protecting stone) that once belonged to the mountain youkai, Gakusanjin. It has the power to hide the youki of whoever holds it. Naraku took the fuyouheki from Gakusanjin and gave it to the baby, effectively concealing the location of his heart. Those searching for Naraku's heart were able to use youki-crystals to detect the presence of the fuyouheki, and thus the baby.

Hanyou:
half-magic
Literally, “half-youkai.” Half magical creature, half human. I think one of the concepts of Inuyasha's heritage is that he's a human boy with supernatural powers and a few odd physical features like the dog ears, white hair, and golden eyes. But the fact he has youki means that his body is physically stronger, can heal faster, and ages slower. However, his soul and spirit are "human"; so in most senses, Inuyasha is like "any of us."

Inuyasha-ikkou (Inu-ikkou)
Inuyasha, go(ing)
This is a term that has been used as the plural term for Inuyasha's group: himself, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Shippou, and Kirara. The term is synonymous with "Inuyasha-tachi" and has been used to describe the group in several publications. I've been using it every now and then... :P

Jyaki:
wicked energy
This is commonly the "magical energy" around a youkai, sort of like an malicious, demonic aura. Jyaki is also translated as “miasma,” or a “nauseating fume.” I often joke that it’s like a really bad fart.

Kusari-gama
sickle-and-chain.
Part of the youkai-taijiya (youkai slayers) weapon assortment, this is a sickle that is attached to a chain. Commonly, the taijiya use it by swinging the chain and wrapping it around the enemy to immobilize it, although they were also trained to be able to throw the sickle and retract it to the hand. For the record, I'm not entirely sure that was a "real" way the kusari-gama was actually used, but it looks really cool in the series. ;)

Meidou-stone (Meidou jewel, Meidou-ishi)
dark path, stone
A jewel that was introduced in Chapter 467. Presumably, Inu-papa left Sesshoumaru's mother with this mystical stone, telling her that it was for use when Sesshoumaru ever came to ask about the use of the Meidou-Zangetsuha. Aside than implying that Papa-sama may have been one helluva planner or something (:P), this stone also provided Sesshoumaru's mother with the ability to "see" into Hell while her son was given a Meidou-strengthening trial.

Moko-moko
fluff-fluff
Yes, I am including this term here, becuase it's giving me a headache when I use it to describe the thing in chapter scripts. "Moko-moko" is a term that was used once during an interview with Rumiko Takahashi, to describe the "fur" on Sesshoumaru's shoulder. Since then, rather than call it "fur stole," or "furry cape thing," or "fluff," or "the parasitic ferretlike thing on his shoulder," I fell into the habit of using the term "moko-moko." It's a hard habit to break.

Ofuda:
(honorific) paper-charm
This is the name for the paper charms that Miroku uses in his purification of bewitching powers. Ofuda are basically paper strip inscribed with calligraphy. These paper strips are supposed to have mystical powers. And I call them "Sticky Notepads of Death!" :P

ofuda

Shakujou:
copper, staff
The term for the long staff that Miroku uses. A shakujou is (usually) a long wooden pole, and the top end is topped with a large metal finial, which is divided into two halves, each with three rings.

Saimyoushou:
most-fierce, victory
Whoa. I learned something new when I looked up that name. It's the name given to the poisonous bee/wasp-like insects that often herald the presence or arrival of our favorite tendriled evil guy, Naraku. They also have poison that render Miroku's kazaana useless.

saimyoushou

Senki:
wizard-energy
The word "senki" literally breaks down to "hermit/wizard powers." This was the term used to describe the powers of a wizard (or mage). It had the ability to neutralize the resurgence of youki that would occur after the Dragon-Scaled Tessaiga absorbed it from an enemy. While Inuyasha was having trouble mastering that ability, infusing the blade with senki provided a temporary fix.

Shikigami:
spirits, methods
Spiritual medium (such as miko) often practice the art of magical chants and spells. A shikigami is a spirit that usually accompanies that person. I'm just never sure exactly WHAT this could have possibly translated to in English, although I've come across the explaination that they could be thought of as "familiars." In Inuyasha, shikigami came in the form of Tsubaki's hebi (snake/serpant), and Kouchou and Asuka, the two girls who accompany Kikyou. There were also others, but those two come to mind as the most obvious examples.

Shinidamachuu:
dead-soul, insect
Those eel/snake-like creatures that follow Kikyou around and collect the souls ("tama") that give Kikyou her strength.

Shouki:
miasma-energy
Also translated as just “miasma.” Rather than being the "magical" energy created by youkai, shouki is the fumes/gas that can be created by youkai, as well as potions, powders, and the like. Naraku is notorious for his really bad gas problem. Maybe it's just something he ate...

Shikon (Shikon no Tama, Shikon Jewel):
four, souls
Shikon means four (shi) Spirits (kon). In Shinto philosophy, every spirit is made up of four parts. Wisdom/knowledge, love/compassion, companionship, and courage. These four parts together are balanced within a person to make him or her "good." If one becomes unbalanced, the spirit begins to fail, and become evil. That's how the shikon jewel can be desecrated. Some people figure they can use it for good, others for selfish purposes.

shikon no tama (shikon jewel)

Youkai:
magical apparition
It’s often translated as “demon,” although like the word yasha, the concept of demon is a little misleading. "Demon" tends to have a negative connotation to it that doesn't entirely apply to the Japanese word, although it IS the closest concept English has. Youkai are more like mythological, supernatural creatures, and rather than constantly translate the term into that, I just left it as the Japanese word.

Youketsu:
magical pit/hole
The term was introduced by Yourei-taisei's training in Chapter 428. Youketsu is a whirlpool of youki (youkai-energy) that can be cut. This method of cutting through a youkai's youketsu is the key to using the Dragon- Scaled Tessaiga properly.

youketsu

Youki:
magical energy
It can also be a type of miasma. In Inuyasha, it’s referring to the energies and power of youkai. Magical creatures and objects manipulate and use this power all the time, like Tessaiga, which uses youki to "power up," so to speak. It's sometimes describes as being the "wind" that Inuyasha uses to create the "kaze no kizu," and also the wind that Kagura manipulates to create her attacks. I could have gone with that, too… but I like the word as is.

"Zamaamiyagare!"
Well, I don't leave this term untranslated, but Inuyasha, Kouga, and a few of the other characters are fond of using it. It's actually the profane conjucation of "zama o miro" or "zamiro," which literally means "see what you get." Basically, used in this way, it basically means "fucking serves ya right," or "you got what you fucking deserved."