Inuyasha - Manga Glossary - People & Places

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

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PEOPLE & PLACE NAMES

Familiar (Family) Terms

These are words and terms that frequently occur in Inuyasha (and of course, in everyday Japanese speech) that are words for types of family relationships. The "san" suffixes at the end can also be replaced with "sama," or "chan," depending on the type of relationship the people have with one another.

Relationship	Common word...	Referring to your own...

father	otou-san	chichi
mother	okaa-san	haha
older brother	onii-san	ani
older sister	onee-san	ane
younger brother	otouto-san	otouto
younger sister	imouto-san	imouto

grandfather	ojii-san	sofu
grandmother	obaa-san	sobo
uncle	oji-san	oji
aunt	oba-san	oba

Suffix and Honorific Useage

-chan
(endearment)
This is a bit of a term of endearment; it sort of adds a "cutesy" feel to a name. Most commonly thought of as a "girlish" or "kiddy" suffix, although make no mistake, adults (girls and guys alike) will all each other -chan as well, depending on the type of relationship, as well as the person. I don't tend to see this translated into English much...

-dono
(respect, a bit archaic)
A respectful term of respect that I don't hear often at all in modern speech. I've also seen this translated as "master."

-kun
(masculine endearment)
This is also a bit of a term of endearment. It's a bit more masculine than -chan. I do usually hear this one used more exclusively for guys, though again, like -chan, it depends on the person and the type of relationship. I also don't often to see this translated into an English equivalent.

-sama
(high respect)
The most general explaination for this suffix is just "great respect." You'll give someone this sort of suffix to denote that you have a high regard for that person. I often see this translated into "Lord" or "Master." Both of which are good equivalents, if not a bit Westen-sounding when added to a name. Which is why I don't translate it.

-san
(humble, respectful)
The most neutral and "catch-all" type of suffix. It's like saying "Mr." or "Mrs." so-and-so. It's respectful and it's common, so this is often the safest suffix to use in casual conversation, if you don't quite know what the other person's preference is. (I wouldn't call someone -chan, -kun, or even -sama right upon meeting them).

-tachi
(pluralizer)
You may often notice that in my summaries and scripts, I'll use the Japanese suffix "-tachi." This basically means "and the others (in the group)." So when I say something like "Inuyasha-tachi," it means "Inuyasha and the others." I've just been using it out of habit because it just feels the most natural for me, although in the characters' speech, I tend to translate it.

-ue
(humble, respectful, archaic)
As explained in the "People" section, this suffix is a bit archaic, but because Inuaysha takes place in a past era, you'll hear it often. It literally means "above." So to use it as an honorific means that you're showing respect for that person. You'd often hear it used with family terms, such as chichi-ue (father), haha-ue (mother), ani-ue (brother) or ane-ue (sister).

People

Ane-ue
"big sister"
This term literally means "big sister, above me." It's a bit of an archaic term, which you likely wouldn't hear used in modern-day speech. I tend to leave this untranslated with Kohaku's speech because there are nuances in the term that show relationship and feelings he has for her.

Bouzu
boy "priest", master
Usually translated as "priest." I've also been told that this is a bit "slang-ish," and not quite a respectful term to use. That's probably why Inuyasha tends to use it when he's annoyed at Miroku. "Kono sukebe bouzu!" (perverted preist!)

Chichi-ue
"father"
Like the "big sister" term, this means "father, above me." Again, it's a bit archaic, but denotes great respect for one's father. Sesshoumaru calls his father this, while Inuyasha tends to call his father oyaji or simply chichi, which mean "old man" and "(my own) father," respectively.

Houshi
rules, teacher (master)
Usually translated as "monk." More specifically, a Buddhist monk. The terms "monk" and "priest" in Inuyasha are again a bit misleading, because they tend to connotate specific religions (ie. Buddhism and Christianity), although these two terms are used interchangeably. The term houshi is a bit more proper and respectful. Sango has never once called Miroku by his first name, and instead calls him houshi-sama, which denotes respect, as well as a bit of of distance.

Inukkoro
dog, small
Meh, just thought I'd also include this in here. This is Kouga's derogatory name for Inuyasha. Basically doesn't translate into anything SPECIFIC, so I translate it into anything from Dog-boy (which is probably the closest "literal" translation), to Dog-turd, Dog-breath, Mutt, or something along those lines. ;)

Inu no Nii-chan
"Dog-brother"
I just include this because it's what Souta (Kagome's little brother) likes calling Inuyasha, and I don't translate it. The term literally means something like "dog-brother." The fact that Souta calls Inuyasha "-chan" is really cute, in my book. :P

Miko
shrine maiden, woman
Usually translated as "priestess," although I prefer the Japanese word. Miko are traditionally un-wed young women who carry out duties in Shinto shrines. They were known to perform dances, and assist preists in ceremonies.

Orochi
large, serpent
This is another name for a clan of youkai found in Inuyasha. I've translated it as "serpent clan" in some cases in order to clarify the term. The members of this tribe looked a bit reptilian and from descriptions given by others, seemed to have potent venom.

Yasee Ookami
weak wolf
This is Inuyasha's derogatory name for Kouga, which is his counter to being called "Inukkoro." Yasee is a slang word for something that is "weak" or "cheap." So I tend to translate the term into "wimpy wolf" or "mangy wolf."

Yourouzoku
youkai wolf tribe
The Yourouzoku tribe is described in Inuyasha as youkai wolf clans who lived deep in the mountains. Kouga was something of a self-proclaimed leader, but the loveable wolf probably earned his right to be there as much as he fought his way there. After most of the Yourouzoku in his clan were slaughtered by Kagura, Kouga, and two survivors (dubbed Ginta and Hakkaku in the anime, although never truly named in the manga), also begin their own quest to destroy Naraku.

Places

Hakureizan (Mount Hakurei)
white, spirit-power, mountain
Hakureizan was the birthplace of Naraku's third form. It was described as a mountain that was protected by a barrier that could purify youryoku (magical powers). Naraku had hidden himself within the mountain as he rebuilt his body. He also released akanbo ("baby") from his body while he was in Hakureizan. This place was also the setting for several key events, roughly in tankoubon volumes 25-30.

Hakureizan