=Nichiren.= _B._ 1222, _d._ 1282, at Ikkégami, where some of his bones remain as relics. He entered the priesthood at the early age of twelve, when he adopted the name of Nichiren, or “Lotus of the Sun.” He miraculously learned the whole of the 100 volumes of the Buddhist canon in one night. He fiercely attacked all the already existing Buddhist sects, a thing unheard of in Japanese ecclesiastical history; was twice banished, and once condemned to death, on which occasion the executioner’s sword refused to perform its function. His crest is the orange blossom. =O= and =Go=. Polite prefixes usually translated as “honourable” or “august.” =O Bā San=, _lit._ honourable grandmother Mrs. =Obi.= A long sash usually of wadded brocade, which is folded several times round the waist and tied behind. The _obi_ is the most expensive part of a woman’s dress, and exceptional ones of richest brocade stiffened with gold thread can cost as much as £50 or more; such _obi_ are handed down in families as heirlooms. =O hachi=, _lit._ honourable pot. Tub in which cooked rice is kept. =Persimmon.= A fruit the size of an apple which can be round and reddish, or orange and pear-shaped. Called in Japanese _kaki_. =Ricksha.= _See_ =Jinricksha=. =Rin.= 10 _rin_ make 1 _sen_, or one farthing. =Ronin=, _lit._ wave-man. _Samurai_ without a feudal lord. He might be described as a _samurai_ out of work either through fault or misfortune. =Saké.= An intoxicating drink obtained from fermented rice, containing 11 to 14 per cent. of alcohol. It is generally drunk warm and tastes something like sherry. =Samisen.= A square three-stringed lute with a long handle, played with a plectrum; the commonest and most popular of the musical instruments of Japan. Its notes are very tinny. In Tokyo usually called _shamisen_. =Sampan.= A small flat-bottomed boat, rowed by a man standing in the stern. =Samurai.= Derived from the verb _samurau_, to be on guard. A term used in the early Middle Ages of the soldiers of the Mikado’s palace, then applied to the entire warrior class. The _samurai_ were “the gentry” of Japan, the _daimyō_ corresponding to the peers. In Old Japan all gentlemen were soldiers and all soldiers gentlemen. Since the Restoration, when their incomes were commuted for a lump sum, the _samurai_ have had to earn their own livelihood. They are now the officers, professors, schoolmasters, policemen, officials, practically the whole governing class of Japan. =San.= Contraction of _sama_. A title such as our Mr., but used for both sexes and all ages. =Semmi.= Cicada. Japan grows innumerable _semmi_ of many kinds. A favourite amusement of boys is to catch them and keep them in small cages of green net. =Sen.= ¼_d._ 100 _sen_ make 1 _yen_. =Shappo.= From the French _chapeau_. The modern name for the modern “foreign” hat. Old Japan knew no hats.