Otogi Zoshi Glossary
Terms, Places, More
Fujiwara Regency
The Fujiwara Regency was the main feature of government of the entire Heian era. Kyoto (Heian-kyo-) was geopolitically a better seat of government; with good river access to the sea, it could be reached by land routes from the eastern provinces.
Heian Era
At the peak of the Heian Era, famine and disease tear the country apart, deadly assassins fill the court, and wild bandits infest the countryside.
Heian Period
period in Japanese history; famine
Heian-Kyo
Modern day Kyoto; As these people play their games for power, much of the citizenry of Heian-Kyo below them are impoverished, dying in their sleep and needing aid. To help them, and more so to restore Heian-Kyo to its former glory, the Minamoto clan is given the assignment of finding the Magatama that will help bring everything back to balance.
Hitachi
village in Japan thought to be under the thumb of the Tsuchigumos
Imperial Entertainer
a formal post in the leadership
Kampaku/Sessho (Regent)
regent for underage emperor Sessho
Kumaso, Kumasos
battling the people of Dewa; Kumaso stronghold in Chinzei
magatama
curved beads which first appeared in Japan during the Jomon period; shape of a sphere with a flowing tail
magatama of fire
magatama of water
from Torakuma
Minamoto clan
so to restore Heian-Kyo to its former glory, the Minamoto clan is given the assignment of finding the Magatama that will help bring everything back to balance. Unfortunately for the clan, the eldest brother has caught seriously ill and cannot go on the journey. Before they could lose face for this, the daughter Hikaru puts her hair up under a layered hat and binds her breasts down so that she can pass as a man and search out what her family needs.
monoimi
In order to welcome the sacred essence of the kami, those participating in Shinto rituals make a special effort to purify their bodies and minds by avoiding contact with polluting substances and behaviors (this avoidance is known as kinki) for a fixed period prior to the ritual performance. This notion of abstinence is also referred to by the terms kessai, saikai, and kiki.
Noroi-Jima
Okina dance
Mansairaku recently returned from dedicating his Okina dance
omyoji
Within the capital that will be known as Kyoto one day, there reside many of the omyoji that serve as spiritual advisors and use their influence in the court to their own ends. They match wits with the ministers and others in the government to sway events to their own way and with the powerful backing of Abe no Seimei, this is a time where the religious side holds great power over the course of the country.
Onikirimaru
Tsuna's first enunciated formal threat
Onmyo
chamber where they
Onmyo-ji
masters of yin-yang theory; weilded political clout during the Heian period
Onmyo-Ryo
the bureau of onmyo
Ookubo
Rashomon
said to be haunted by a man-eating demon
regent
a person selected to act as head of state (ruling or not) because the ruler is a minor, not present or debilitated
sadaijin
Minister of the Left
Seiryoden Heian-Kyo Kyoto
Sessho
a title given to a regent who was named to assist either a child emperor before his coming of age, or an empress.
Setouchi Sea
ruled by Torakuma, leader of pirates
Shinjuku
Tsuchigumo cave
hideout of the ?
warrior class
skilled with bow and sword
yin-yang theory
used to describe how seemingly disjunct or opposing forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, giving rise to each other in turn. The concept lies at the heart of many branches of classical Chinese science and philosophy, as well as being a primary guideline of traditional Chinese medicine,[1] and a central principle of several forms of martial arts and exercise, such as taijiquan, gung fu and qigong. Many natural dualities - e.g. dark and light, female and male, low and high - are cast in Chinese thought as yin yang.
Kebiishi
guards, sort of the emperor's police force; body of police commissioners who constituted the only effective military force during Japan’s Heian period (ad 794–1185). The Kebiishi was the backbone of the administration during this time, and its decline about 1000 marked the beginning of the disintegration of central control over the outlying areas of the country.
Noh
a dancing style
flute
Hikaru plays a mean flute
tanto
weapon
Chinzei
location of the Kumaso stronghold; castle was empty except for Ivan the blond