Kabuto Helmet
Kamishimo Samurai ceremonial dress— kataginu and hakama color-coordinated
Kataginu The triangle of cloth covering the shoulders and breast in ceremonial dress
Katakana Japanese lettering
Katana Sword
Kendo Fencing—literally, "The Way of the Sword"
Ki Heart, mind, spirit, feeling
Kobun Soldiers of the yakuza
Konnichi wa Hello
Kuromaku "Fixer," gang go-between
Meiyo Reputation, honor
Meiyo to naru "Respected teacher" sensei
Men Kendo facemask
Ninjo Humanity, sympathy
Ninjutsu Literally, "Art of Invisibility," the skill of the ninja
O-medeto Congratulations!
Obi Sash that goes with kimono
Ohayo Good morning
Otomo Palace guards
Otosan Father
Oyabun Yakuza ringleader
Ryu no tomo "Dragon's Friends"
Seimeiyoshi- Federation of gangs rengo
Senshi Warrior
Seppuku Samurai ritual suicide
Shikata ga nai Approximately, "It can't be helped"
Shimatta Exclamation of dismay
Shinai Bamboo sword in kendo
Shitenno In context, inner circle of advisors; literally, "Four devas"
Shizen Nature
Shogi Chess
Shoji Paper door or panel
Shuriken Throwing star or small dagger
So ka 1. Oh? How interesting!
2. Is that right?
Sugu At once, immediately
Tachi Nature, disposition—second nature
Tatami Straw floor-matting
Teki Enemy, opponent, rival
Tengu Long-nosed goblin
Tono Lord
Wakarimasu-ka? Do you understand?
Wakizashi Shortsword
Yubitsume Yakuza finger-cutting atonement
List of Abbreviations:
AFFS Armed Forces of the Federated Suns
DCMS Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery
DEST Draconis Elite Strike Team
HPG Hyperspulse Generator. An inter- stellar communications device used by ComStar
IFF Identification: Friend or Foe
ISF Internal Security Force. The Kurita secret service
LCAF Lyran Commonwealth Armed Forces
LRM Long-range missiles, indirect fire missiles with high explosive warheads
NAIS New Avalon Institute of Science
O5P Order of the Five Pillars
PPC Particle projector cannon, a magnetic accelerator firing high-energy proton or ion bolts. It is the most effective weapon available to a BattleMech
ROM ComStar's secret service
SRM Short-range missiles, direct trajec- tory missiles with high explosive or armor-piercing explosive warheads
VTOL Vertical Takeoff/Landing, including helicopters and directed thrust aircraft