A list of Japanese words used in the story. These include their meanings and special meanings should they be used differently in the universe of Sanguineus.

Ashigaru – typically considered as foot soldiers, mostly conscripted civilians who are taken into war to strengthen numbers. In the hierarchy of the social classes, they are below the samurai.

Chudan-no-kamae – the most basic stance where sword is placed at the wielder's midsection with the tip of the blade pointing towards the enemy's midsection.

Daimyo – once mere landlords who were granted fiefs to look after, but then amassed their own personal armies and sought to expand their domain, turning themselves into warlords.

Daitengu – a lower level god, but a powerful yokai; described as gigantic creatures with wings, red faces with long noses, and is said to either be helpful to humans or mischievous and dangerous. Said to dwell atop mountains, removed from human society

Datemono – the large crest mounted on the helmet (kabuto) of samurai armor, typically worn by daimyo or samurai commanders

Doma – a part of a traditional Japanese home; it is a dirt floor included inside the house used as either a kitchen, a workshop, etc. Composed of compact dirt, lies between the genkan and the rest of the house.

Fukigaeshi – the wing-like projections on sides of a samurai's helmet

Furoshiki – refers to either the practice of using patterned clothes to wrap food, presents, gifts, and items in general, or the cloth itself used for wrapping

Garan – refers to the Buddhist temple, which is composed of several buildings including the main temple, the monks' living quarters, etc.

Gedan-no-kamae – a stance for a bladed weapon which means "lower-level-posture", adopted when one stands with their blades pointed downward

Genkan – a vital and traditional part of a Japanese household, situated just on the other side of the front door where members of the family can leave their footwear before proceeding into the house.

Gyosho Bako – a Japanese wooden container, sometimes designed with drawers; can be worn as a backpack

Hachimaki – a traditional Japanese headband with Kanji writings that symbolize or inspire focus, determination and strength, but is also said to ward off evil spirits; typically worn during solemn rituals or great physical activities

Hakama – a piece of traditional Japanese clothing, a garment styled as a skirt-like pants worn over the kimono

Hikyaku – the couriers of feudal Japan who carried letters and packages alike across and all-over the country on foot.

Ikusa-Bugyo – a position in the samurai military equivalent to an administrator, charged with the responsibility of personnel management, training coordination, equipment maintenance, distribution of resources, etc. Every daimyo was unique in how they structured their army. Others appointed administrators, others had commanders, sometimes they themselves were the sole commanders, and so on.

Jingasa – a hat styled specifically for war or military use; constructed using either metal or leather and worn by either samurai or ashigaru

Kabuto – the helmet of the samurai

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Kama – a Japanese farming tool that is also used in martial arts; similar to a handheld scythe

Kampo – traditional Japanese medicine that uses herbs and medicinal plants, often used to treat respiratory infections and illnesses

Kanabo – a heavy wooden war club with spikes used in feudal Japan

Kannushi – the head priest of a shrine, the main caretakers of shrines and leaders of worship and ritual practices that serve the kami/gods

Kasumi-no-kamae

Kata – translates to "form"; used to describe particular stance or set of choreographed moves in armed or unarmed martial arts

Kosho – a samurai serving as a bodyguard and/or assistant to the high ranking official

Koshiki – a wooden vat used for steaming rice

Ko Gasumi – a sword stance where the tip is pointed toward the enemy's eyes, but the sword is held aloft and beside the wielder's head

Kotodama – the Japanese belief that words and names have power. In Sanguineus, Kotodama is a power of divine proportions held by a clan that is said to be able to influence the world simply by word of mouth.

Kunai – a versatile handheld tool. In Sanguineus, the kunai are weapons heavily used by the shinobi faction as either knives for close quarter combat or throwing knives for ranged attacks or distractions

Maiko – the apprentice of a geisha, taught various forms of entertainment such as song and dance along with the use of musical instruments for festivals, parties and banquets. Both geisha and maiko are known for their unique make up, extravagant kimonos and overall colorful design

Menpo – a piece of the samurai's armor that covers the mouth, usually crafted to look like a demon's face in order to inspire fear in the hearts of their enemies while in the battlefield.

Miko – a young shrine maiden / priestess, usually the caretakers of shrines

Mikoshi – a portable shrine used during processions; it is said that these are used to transport deities from one shrine to another and are paraded around town to bless the residents and houses

Mon – emblems used to identify individuals, families, clans, etc.

Naginata – a polearm weapon design to have a wooden handle and a long curved blade attached to the end

Okuri Inu – a kind of yokai that resembles a feral and nightmarish wolf.

Onmyoji – an official position under the Bureau of Onmyo in Japan. In Sanguineus, these are the official and government-employed sorcerers who are charged with the duty of protecting the realm from mystical threats. They practice Onmyodo, which is a Japanese mystic art that collates and combines spells ranging from divination, restoration, transformation, manipulation, etc.

Samurai — a revered class of warriors who are considered noble

Sashimono – banners flown by samurai; on the battlefield they are used for identification, but off the battlefield they are a symbol of status and rank. It is a great honor to carry the banner of your lord.

Seigan-no-Kamae – a variation of the chudan-no-kamae, wherein the tip of the sword is pointed toward the enemy's eyes instead.

Sensu – a folding fan used by Japanese nobility; it also has a number of uses for social interactions, storytelling events, and as signals during war

Shamisen – a traditional Japanese string instrument with three strings, has a long neck and a small body

Sudachi – a small green citrus fruit with a strong aroma and a sour taste

Taketombo – a hand-crafted toy made from Bamboo that flies when spun rapidly

Tanto – a Japanese short sword, similar to a dagger

Torii Gate – a structure with great spiritual meaning; said to be a gate that led to the realm where gods dwell. Hence, they are situated at the very entrance of shrines and other holy landmarks.

Tsuba – the metal piece that separates the handle of a sword with its blade; the handguard

Yakitori-ya – a kind of restaurant that specializes in yakitori or grilled chicken skewers

Yokai – the umbrella term that refers to supernatural beings and folktale creatures in Japanese culture, includes lower and higher levels of magical creatures like demons, spirits ghosts, goblins, and even gods.

Yomi – the Japanese underworld, where Izanagi trapped Izanami using a boulder. In Sanguineus, this is where departed souls go to finally rest. It is not Hell nor Heaven; the former is a place for punishment while the latter is the dwelling place of the gods. Yomi is specifically for mortal souls, and the living are not permitted.

Yosuzume – a kind of bird yokai, nocturnal sparrow creatures that let out a cry that often announce the presence of an Okuri-Inu

Yurei – a kind of yokai more akin to the Western idea of ghosts, often depicted as white souls wearing long white robes with black hair; they are unable to pass on due to an injustice done to them, and are hence bound to the mortal plane until their business is concluded