Japan and the Japanese

XII GLOSSARY.
term is seni. The Dutch call them pitje.i. As the dollar contains about seventy-one kan
darins of it silver, should represent upwards of seven hundred of these kas.
Kata-kana, mail's writing. A syllabary employed fur explanations of Chinese characters.
See p. 546
Kali, or Catty. A weight of sixteen tael, or a hundred and sixty mas, equal to about a
pound and a third avoirdupois, the common weight in retail transactions throughout
the far East.
Ken, or Kin. A measure of length, containing six Japanese feet (xiak, or saxi\ or, according
to Siebold, six siak, three bun (the bun being the tenth of the sink). Klaproth
makes it equal to seven feet, four and one half inches, Khineland measure but Siebold
;
states the Japanese syak as equal to eleven inches eleven lines, English measure, and
Kampfer always speaks of the ken as a fathom, or six feet.
Kitti, or Kitno. Homage, or reverence, performed by one person to another.
Kobang, or (properly) Jioban. A gold coin. For its weight and value see p. 55, 209, 383.
Kobu, kosi, or nosi. A sort of edible sea-weed (fucus saccharinus), strips of which are
attached to presents and complimentary notes.
Kokf,orKoku. A quantity of rice, equal to one hundred gantlinjrs, or somewhat more
than four and a half bushels. The integer for estimating landed revenues. See p. 54, 197.
Kokonots. The sixth Japanese hour, closing at noon and midnight. For the Japanese
division of the day, see p. 266, note. It appears, from Siebold, that the names given to
the six Japanese hours, kokonots, yatx, nanats, muts, Hants, and yots, are the vernacular
Japanese numerals for nine, eight, seven, six, five, and four, the number of strikes
on a bell by which these hours are respectively indicated. For ordinary use, and especially
in speaking of weights and measures, and always for numbers above ten, the Japanese
employ the Chinese numerals.
Kubo, or Kvbo-Sama. General, or lord general, originally the fifth officer in rank in the
household of the Dairi, but for several centuries past the real, reigning emperor of Japan.
Kuge. The family and courtiers of the Dairi.
Jinti. Ordinary day laborers.
Li, or Ri. A mile, or league (six times that of the Chinese), of which there are twenty-five
to a degree of latitude, equal to upwards of two and a halt of our miles.
Mas. The tenth part of a tael, equal to about fifty-eight grains troy.
Mia. Temples for the worship of the Kami.
Matz. A street ; also a measure of length, otherwise tsiju, equal to 60 ken, or 360 feet.
Matxuri. Religious shows and exhibitions.
Namada. A short prayer in Sanscrit, the pater nosier of the worshippers of Amida.
Nenyo. A period of time used in dating. See p. 35.
Piorimon. A superior'kind of kango.
Ottona. The superior officer of a street.
Offari. Indulgence box, a sort of charm, purchased of the priests.
Picul. One hundred katti, or one hundred and thirty-three and a third pounds avoiidupois.
The common weight in the far East for heavy articles and wholesale transactions.
Quan 11-011. A Buddhist saint, represented by a many-handed image, and much worshipped
in Japan.
Qunn. A hearse.
Saki. An intoxicating drink, a sort of beer, made from rice.
Sana. Lord, appended to uames and titles, with much the force of the French Monsieur,
or our Mr.
Seni. See Kas.
Seomio. Princes of the second class.
Siaka. The Japanese equivalent of Buddha, or Fo. See p. 65, note.
Sima. Island, a common termination of Japanese names of places.
Siotjun. The Chinese-Japanese term corresponding to kubo.
Sinto. Doctrine of the Sin, or Kami, the ancient and aboriginal religion of Japan.
Siudo. The doctrine of Confucius, as received in Japan.
Sokano. Eatables offered to visitors by way of refreshment.
S/iuet. Name given by the Dutch to circulating lumps of silver, stamped at the mint to
certify their fineness, but passing by weight, which averages about five ounces.
Tael. A weight used in the far East equal to five hundred and eighty-three troy grains, or
about an ounce and a fifth troy, or an ounce and a third avoirdupois. Sixteen tael make
a katti. The tael and its subdivisions the mas, kandarin, and kas are especially used
in weighing the precious metals. Silver passing by weight in the far East, and forming
there the standard of value, accounts are kept in these denominations. The tael was
commonly reckoned by the Dutch as corresponding to the European crown ($1.25), which
made the mas equal to the Spanish eighth of a dollar.
Tira. A Buddhist temple.
Tono. A general term, including all the Japanese nobility.
Tsitats. The first day of the month, observed as a holiday or Sunday. See p. 636
Tundt A Buddhist abbot.
Tenwo, or Teno. August of heaven, a title bastowed on the Dairi
Uta. A brief poem, or distich.