A glossary of names and frequently used terms in the Haruka world. Unless otherwise indicated, these definitions are not directly derived from any that are provided by in-game or official sources. Corrections or questions?

Abe 【安倍】

A famous and powerful onmyouji clan, headed by Abe no Seimei. Yasuaki and Yasutsugu belong to this clan, and onmyouji even to the end of the Heian period, like Kagetoki, continue to fall under this clan's influence and teachings.

Abe no Seimei 【安倍晴明】

The most famous and powerful onmyouji of the Heian period, reputedly of all time. In legend he is said to have had amazing powers and sharp wit. Forefather of the Abe clan, and Yasuaki's master. See also the Wikipedia entry.

Amagoze 【尼御前】

lit. "before Her Cloistered Eminence". One title/name for the Ni-i-no-Ama, the wife of Kiyomori.

Antoku 【安徳】

The boy emperor supported by the Heike. At the time of his rule there were two emperors, as the Genji had named a new ruler when Antoku and the rest of the Heike were forced to flee the capital. However, the Heike maintained that Antoku was the true emperor, as Antoku had never officially abdicated, and moreover the Heike still possessed the symbols of ascension, the treasures of the Imperial Regalia. Antoku is the grandson of both the Go-Shirakawa-in and of Taira no Kiyomori. See also the Wikipedia entry.

bushi 【武士】

= samurai.

Byakko 【白虎】

The White Tiger, god of the West. One of the Four Gods.

chuuguu 【中宮】

The empress; the emperor's primary wife. In the rare event that there are two primary wives, the one appointed second is called the chuuguu; the one appointed first is called the kougou. In Maihitoyo, the chuuguu is Fujitsubo. Disambiguation: kyuuchuu 【宮中】, the same kanji only in reverse, refers not to a person but to the imperial court (place).

-dono 【殿】

An honorific name suffix used for a lord or lady. Though it is often indicative of actual noble or court rank (e.g. Takamichi-dono, Koremori-dono) it is also used as a display of respect even for those in positions of non-nobility (e.g. Karin-dono, Sazaki-dono, Tenma-dono).

fuda 【札】

A paper talisman used by priests and onmyouji in their ceremonies and rites, often inscribed with text and/or imbued with powerful energies. See also the Wikipedia entry.

Fujiwara 【藤原】

The most powerful clan in palace politics during the Heian period, whose males were often the holders of the highest-ranking court offices and whose females were often the mothers and wives of members of the imperial family. The members of the Star Clan are of the Fujiwara bloodline.

fumi 【文】

= letter. The primary form of communication in the Heian period. There was an entire culture centered around letter-writing, particular around love letters (koibumi), which involved among many other details the composition of poetry, fastidious attention to paper color, and thematically chosen sprigs of flowers or branches.

fuuin 【封印】

= seal, in which Ryuujin no Miko uses Ryuujin's power to purify and absolve an onryou, releasing its trapped energies back into the natural flow of the ryuumyaku. She is said to be the only one with this ability, which saves the onryou from their eternal suffering. Her incantation is "Megure, ten no koe! Hibike, chi no koe! Ka no mono wo fuuze yo!"

gekirin 【逆鱗】

= dragon's scale. Said to be the source of a dragon's power, with the ability to cross time and space.

Genbu 【玄武】

The Black Tortoise, god of the North. An entity depicted as a combined tortoise and snake. One of the Four Gods.

Genji 【源氏】

Another name for the Minamoto clan, lit. "people of the Minamoto". In Haruka3, the Genji clan is headed by Minamoto no Yoritomo.

Genpei 【源平】

The Genpei War: 1180-1185 AD; the war between the Genji and Heike at the end of the Heian period. The term comes from the "gen" in Genji + "hei" in Heike. See also the Wikipedia entry.

gogyou 【五行】

The five essential elements: earth, water, fire, metal, and wood. These elements make up the flow of energies in the world. In the games, each character, deity, and enemy is aligned to one of these elements. Each element is weak to and strong against another: wood > earth > water > fire > metal > wood.

Go-Shirakawa-in 【後白河院】

The ruling emperor four successions previous to Antoku. He retains a vast level of political power and influence despite his abdication, and throughout his life has had dealings with both the Genji and the Heike. See also the Wikipedia entry.

gyoku 【宝玉】

= jewel(s), also Ryuu no Gyoku (lit. "Jade/Jewel(s) of the Dragon"). The eight round colored jewels that designate the members of the Hachiyou. Until Ryuujin no Miko appears, the jewels remain in the form of a single large white jewel, which is guarded by the Star Clan. The gyoku can only be seen by the Miko and the Hachiyou themselves, though it is said that in rare cases, they can also be seen by people and creatures with very strong spiritual powers. It is said that it is neither Ryuujin nor Ryuujin no Miko, but the jewels themselves, that choose the Hachiyou.

Hachiyou 【八葉】

lit. "eight leaves". The eight guardians of Ryuujin (Hakuryuu) no Miko, chosen and marked by the Ryuu no Gyoku. These eight men draw their powers from the four guardian gods of Kyou

hakke 【八卦】

An ancient classical Chinese form of divination using a system of eight trigrams. Each of the eight members of the Hachiyou is associated with one of these trigrams. Known also in English as the "I-Ching". See also the Wikipedia entry.

Hakuryuu 【白龍】

lit. "White Dragon". The great white dragon god said to protect Kyou with its blessings. Though often referred to as "the" Ryuujin, the white dragon is in fact only the you half of the complete Ryuujin, the ouryuu.

Hakuryuu no Miko 【白龍の神子】

lit. "Priestess of the White Dragon". Her god is Hakuryuu, the White Dragon. As she is frequently called simply "the" Ryuujin no Miko, this title is used when differentiating her from Kokuryuu no Miko.

Heian 【平安】

A era in Japanese history (794-1185 AD) that ended with the Genpei War. Considered to be Japan's "Golden Age" of court and culture. Haruka 1, 2, and 3 take place during this era.

Heike 【平家】

Another name for the Taira clain, lit. "people of the Taira". In Haruka3, the Heike clan is headed by Taira no Kiyomori.

-hime 【姫】

An honorific name suffix denoting a lady of noble status (e.g. Yukari-hime, Iwanaga-hime). Though it literally means "princess", it is not indicative of royal position or bloodline. It can also be used directly as a substitution for a female's name (similar to the Western "Milady"), and is used in several variations across the Haruka series ("Hime-gimi", "Miko-hime-sama", "Hime-san"). In Haruka 4, Chihiro, who is of royal blood, is frequently addressed simply as "Hime".

Himuka no Ichizoku 【日向の一族】

One of the three old tribes in legend, with connections to the sun. Distinguished by their large feathered wings. Sazaki and Karigane are members of this clan.

Hiraizumi 【平泉】

The capital of Oushuu. At its prime it was said to "rival Kyoto in grandeur and sophistication". In Haruka3, Kurou and Benkei spent a portion of their youth here, under the protection of Fujiwara no Hidehira. See also the Wikipedia entry.

Hoshi no Ichizoku 【星の一族】

lit. "Star Clan". The family that protects the Ryuu no Gyoku and the lore about Ryuujin no Miko until the time that she appears. Their duty is to serve and aid Ryuujin no Miko. The abilities to see the future and to read energies are inherited through the bloodline of the Star Clan, but these powers only manifest themselves in a select few. Fuji-hime, Misono, and Yukari-hime are members of the Star Clan, and at the time of their stories are the last of their line.

hosshin'nou 【法親王】

A prince of imperial blood who has become a monk. In Haruka1, Eisen is a hosshin'nou. One translation of this title is "Priestly Imperial Prince" (McCullough, Heike Monogatari).

in

1. 【陰】 The "yin" of yin-yang; the "on" of onmyou. Darkness, shade, passive.

2. 【院】 Designates a "retired" emperor or empress (e.g. Go-Shirakawa-in). Used in Haruka2 to refer to the mikado and Akifumi's father, the previous ruling emperor. One translation of this title is "His/Her Cloistered Eminence" (Tyler, Genji Monogatari)

jouka 【浄化】

lit. "purification". The absolution of an onryou by Ryuujin no Miko's seal.

juso 【呪詛】

A curse or harmful spell.

Kaerinaifu 【還内府】

A fearsome general of the Heike, said to be Taira no Kiyomori's eldest son Shigemori come back from the dead.

kegare 【穢れ】

= uncleanness, impurity. In the Haruka games it is given a more concrete form than its Shinto tradition concept, and is frequently depicted by a poisonous-looking cloud or dark malicious aura. Kegare disturbs the natural flow of the world's energy, and as a result can make people weak or ill. Ryuujin no Miko has the power to cleanse kegare. See also monoimi.

kizuna 【絆】

= bond, connection. Refers in particular to the bond between Hakuryuu no Miko and her Hachiyou. In the games this is depicted visually by two meters of 5 stars each or one meter of 10 stars.

Kokuryuu 【黒龍】

lit. "Black Dragon". The in half of the complete Ryuujin, the ouryuu, seen as a bringer of destruction and oblivion.

Kokuryuu no Miko 【黒龍の神子】

lit. "Priestess of the Black Dragon". Her god is Kokuryuu, the Black Dragon. She is often confused for the "real" Ryuujin no Miko (i.e. Hakuryuu no Miko) since she always appears before Hakuryuu no Miko does; however, she has no Hachiyou and no ability to seal onryou. Like Hakuryuu no Miko, she too can summon her Dragon God, and from Kokuryuu she has the power to still and to calm. Her Hachiyou older brother is indicated by a tattoo around his jewel.

kou 【香】

= incense. Used both in rituals and on a daily basis, compounding incense was a fine art and a popular diversion for the court.

kougou 【皇后】

= empress. In the event that the emperor has two primary wives, the one appointed first is called the kougou. In Maihitoyo, the kougou is Kokiden. See also chuuguu.

Kugane 【金】

The dog owned by Yasuhira, but adopted and loved by Kurou during his stay in Hiraizumi. Name means "yellow gold".

Kumano 【熊野】

A land of strong spiritual power and many holy places, said to be a place through which both the living and the dead pass. In Haruka 3, a firmly neutral state in the Genpei war that possesses a strong navy; Atsumori, Benkei, and Hinoe have strong ties here.

Kyou 【京】

The old name for modern-day Kyoto. The ancient capital of Japan.

mikado 【帝】

The current emperor. In Haruka1, mikado refers to Eisen's older brother; in Haruka2, mikado refers to Akifumi's older brother; in Haruka3, it refers to the young emperor, Antoku.

miko

1. 【神子】 A priestess or shrine maiden.

2. 【皇子】 A child of the emperor (e.g. Eisen).

mondai nai 【もんだいない】

lit. "No problem(s)." Yasuaki, and to a lesser extent Yasutsugu's, catch phrase.

monoimi 【物忌み】

Indicates a state of "uncleanness" in the Shinto tradition. In the Haruka games this usually refers to days when one must stay inside to avoid the negative impact of the energies in play that day. It also refers to the uncleanness of having been in contact with any kind of kegare, and one must stay in seclusion in order prevent the impurity from spreading. Kataimi 【方忌み】 is a similar prohibition for traveling in a certain direction. See also the Wikipedia entry on imi (Japanese).

Ni-i-no-Ama 【二位ノ尼】

Kiyomori's widow, Taira no Tokiko. Nun. Mother of Shigemori, Tomomori, and Shigehira; grandmother to Koremori and Antoku; sister-in-law to Tadanori; aunt to Tsunemasa and Atsumori.

oni 【鬼】

= "demon". Most often refers to a member of the Oni Clan, identified by their pale hair and blue eyes.

Oni no Ichizoku 【鬼の一族】

A light-haired, blue-eyed people from a distant country that in ancient times came and settled near Kyou. They were treated with extreme discrimination and hostility, and eventually came to be known as oni, "demons". The Oni Clan has special powers and abilities, including long life and the power of teleportation. In Haruka1 and 2, it is the oni who wreak havoc and destruction upon the people in Kyou, led by Akram. In Haruka3, Ridvan is a member of this bloodline.

onryou 【怨霊】

trans. "vengeful spirit". Souls of people who, at the time of their death, were so consumed by strong emotions like vengeance or grief that they were unable to pass on to the realm of the dead, and now continue to haunt and wreak havoc upon the mortal world. Ryuujin no Miko is said to be the only one who can bring salvation to these souls by sealing and thus purifying them.

ouryuu 【応龍】

The true Ryuujin, a unification of both its you (Hakuryuu) and in (Kokuryuu) halves.

Oushuu 【奥州】

An independent region in Japan's northeast, ruled in the 12th to the 13th centuries by the Oushuu Fujiwara (wiki). Its capital is Hiraizumi.

onzoushi 【御曹司】

= "son of a distinguished family; son of a noble" (lookup at Jim Breen's dictionary). This is what the Fujiwaras in Hiraizumi call Kurou.

Ryuujin 【龍神】

Described in legend as the white dragon god that protects Kyou and governs the four lesser gods. When the protection has been lost and Kyou is in danger, his priestess will appear from another world to call upon him and restore the holy protection to the land. See also Hakuryuu, Kokuryuu, ouryuu.

Ryuujin no Miko 【龍神の神子】

lit. "Priestess of the Dragon God". Normally refers to the protagonist of the Haruka stories, a girl from the modern era with the ability to summon Ryuujin and the sole possessor of the power to seal the onryou, but can technically mean either Kokuryuu no Miko or Hakuryuu no Miko.

ryuumyaku 【龍脈】

The natural flow of energies in the world. Made up of the five elements.

Sanshu no Jingi 【三種の神器】

The "Imperial Regalia of Japan" or the "Three Sacred Treasures", the symbols of the Emperor and his authority to reign. The three treasures consist of a sword (Kusanagi), a necklace of seed-shaped jewels (Yasakani no Magatama), and a bronze mirror (Yata no Kagami). See also the Wikipedia entry.

Seiryuu 【青龍】

The Blue Dragon, god of the East. One of the Four Gods.

sensei 【先生】

= teacher. A suffix used to indicate someone in the (usually) formal position of teacher, doctor, or master (e.g. Benkei-sensei), sometimes used as a stand-alone term of reference (Nozomi and Kurou both call Ridvan simply "Sensei").

shiki(gami) 【式（神）】

A summoned creature or being, often out of a paper representation, that is used by onmyouji, similar to the Western "familiar" (dictionary.com). Abe no Seimei, Yasuaki, Yasutsugu, and Kagetoki make use of shikigami, in both animal and anthropomorphic forms.

shishin 【四伸】

lit. "Four Gods". The four guardian gods of Kyou: Seiryuu, Suzaku, Byakko, and Genbu.

Suzaku 【朱雀】

The Crimson Bird, god of the South. One of the Four Gods.

Tachibana 【橘】

One of the noble families in the Heian period. The tachibana is a type of Mandarin orange tree, and it is one of two trees that flank the stairway of the main ceremonial hall of the imperial palace in Kyoto (shishin-den): a sakura tree to the east, and a tachibana tree to the west. Tomomasa and Hisui come from this bloodline.

Tsukiyomi no Ichizoku 【月読の一族】

A mysterious clan with strong ties to the moon and to nature. Likely, descendants of Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto (Wikipedia entry), the god of the moon and brother to the sun goddess Amaterasu.

【月読の君】

The beloved of the first Ryuujin no Miko, a descendant of the Tsukiyomi Clan.

touguu 【東宮】

The Crown Prince. In Haruka2, Akifumi.

uta 【詩】

A poem/poetry (in contrast to the modern word for "song", 【歌】). Poetry had a highly significant role in the high culture of the Heian period — memorizing, reciting, and composing poetry was both a pastime and a necessity for communication in the court.

wagimo 【ワギモ】

The name Tooya uses from time to time for his Miko. Wagimo 【吾妹】 is a term used by a male to his wife, his beloved, or a female with whom he has feelings for.

yashiki 【邸、屋敷】

A large residence, often a compound made up of interconnected, smaller buildings (e.g. Tsuchimikado).

you 【陽】

The "yang" of yin-yang; the "myou" of onmyou. Sun, light, active.