* J = Japanese/O = Okinawan (or Uchinaa-guchi)

Here's your glossary of Japanese and Okinawan words that are frequently used here on internet-okinawa.com. Impress your Uchinanchu friends with your newfound knowledge!

Chatan (O) - The name of a town located in central Okinawa.

Deshi (J) - Pupil.

Fue (J) - Flute

Haisai (O) - What's Up?

KadeRin (?) - My affectionate nickname for Kadekaru Rinshou.

Kashira (J) - Chief

Kokoro (J) - The name of the place in that Beach Boys' song... not! It means heart.

Koten Ongaku (J) - Classical Music.

Koto (J) - Zither

Nabii no Koi (J) - Nabbie's Love.

Nageki nu Nmi (J + O) - Literally "nageki" means "grief" or "lament", "nu" means "of" in this song's context, and "nmi" means "plum" or the Japanese apricot. The song is described in the liner notes for the CD album "Jiruu" (Victor Entertainment, Inc. VICG-60283) as a song with a very deep meaning.

Nomura-ryuu Ongaku Kyoukai - A style of Okinawan classical music which can be literally translated as the Nomura Style Music Association.

Okinawa Shima Uta no Densetsu - Umi - Koi - Ikusa - Kadekaru Rinshou Zenshuu (J) - The Legend of Okinawa Island Song: Ocean, Love, War - Kadekaru Rinshou's Complete Works.

O-pop (?) - Okay, O-pop just means "Okinawan pop (music)" and is a variable of the oft used word J-pop or "Japanese pop (music)".

Ryuukyuu (J) - Another name for Okinawa.

-sama (J) - Honorific word for addressing a person (e.g. Mr., Mrs., or Ms.).

Sanshin (O) - A 3-stringed Okinawan banjo with the body (or Chiiga) wrapped in python (nishikihebi) skin (Hon-gawa) or nylon (Jinkuu-gawa). (Photos available by clicking on the link)

Seigwaa (O) - A nickname for Okinawa's JimiHen (Jimi Hendrix) Noborikawa Seijin, my favorite utasaa.

Sensei (J) - Teacher

Taiko (J) - Drum (Photos and additional information available by clicking on the link)

Tiida (O) - Sun

Uchinaa (O) - Okinawa

Uta-Sanshin (J + O) - Voice + Sanshin.

Utasaa (O) - Folk Singer

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