Many words from this language denote martial arts ("judo", "karate") and food ("sushi", "satsuma").
| Word | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| bonsai | planted in a tray | A type of tree. |
| futon | Sofa that converts into a bed. | |
| geisha | Hostess, entertainer, or prostitute. | |
| hara-kiri | belly cutting | A method of committing suicide. One of many such terms from Japanese. |
| honcho | squad leader | Slang used in USA. |
| ju-jitsu | gentle science | A type of unarmed combat. |
| judo | gentle way | A martial art. One of many such terms from Japanese. |
| kamikaze | divine wind | World War II pilots who crashed their planes laden with explosives. |
| karaoke | Singing popular songs with recorded musical backing. | |
| karate | empty hand | A type of unarmed combat. |
| kendo | sword way | Combat with a sword. |
| kimono | ||
| ninja | Japanese warrior. | |
| origami | Japanese art of folding paper into intricate designs. | |
| rickshaw | man power vehicle | |
| sake | rice wine | |
| samurai | Japanese military officer. | |
| satsuma | A type of orange named after a province in Japan. | |
| shogun | great general | Japanese hereditary officer. |
| soy | A bean used as a meat substitute. | |
| sumo | Japanese wrestling. | |
| sushi | A meal of cold rice sometimes garnished with raw fish. | |
| tatami | A mat for sleeping on. | |
| tsunami | harbour wave | Also known incorrectly as a 'tidal wave'. |
| tycoon | great lord | Wealthy businessman. |
