The Ghost of Tokaido Inn: Preface–Chapter 6

by Dorothy Hoobler, Thomas Hoobler
In this first book of the Samurai Detective series set in 18th-century Japan, Konoike Seikei, a tea merchant’s son dreaming of becoming a noble warrior-poet, helps a judge solve the mystery of a missing jewel.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Preface–Chapter 6, Chapters 7–12, Chapters 13–18, Chapters 19–25
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. samurai
    feudal Japanese military aristocracy
    It was the age of the samurai, the hereditary warriors whose code required one’s every action to be guided by loyalty, courage, and honor.
  2. shogun
    a hereditary military dictator of Japan
    The emperor made Tokugawa the shogun, or military governor.
  3. lacquer
    coat with varnish
    Merchants and artisans carried silk, tea, pottery, and shiny lacquered boxes in backpacks or on mules.
  4. bestow
    give as a gift
    Pilgrims made the journey to one of Japan’s sacred shrines, hoping the kami who lived there would bestow a blessing or a favor.
  5. rut
    a groove or furrow
    The shogun forbade all carts and carriages on the road, so that their wheels would not create ruts in the smooth gravel.
  6. prosperous
    very lively and profitable
    He was going to Edo to open a new branch of his prosperous firm, and he took Seikei, his eldest son, along to learn the business.
  7. abacus
    a manual calculator with counters on rods or in grooves
    Remembering this, Seikei sighed and picked up the abacus that Father had given him. The abacus was a wooden frame with rods that held strings of beads. Those who were skilled in its use could rapidly calculate the prices, profits, and inventory needed to run a business.
  8. obliged
    having a moral duty to do something
    He knew that if a samurai drew his sword, he was obliged by honor to use it.
  9. haunch
    the upper thigh and back of the hip in human beings
    The beggar, crouched on his haunches, gave them a terrible look.
  10. swindler
    a person who steals by means of deception or fraud
    “All sorts of people are found on the road,” he said. “Robbers, swindlers, even Kirishitans.”
  11. impudent
    improperly forward or bold
    “There have been no battles since the time of leyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun. The samurai only use swords on impudent people who do not know their place in life.”
  12. kimono
    a loose robe originating in Japan
    The gate of the inn opened and a man wearing a plain blue kimono came out.
  13. audible
    heard or perceptible by the ear
    The food—especially the tea—was not of the best quality. Father sighed audibly a few times, but made no comment. Seikei ate his meal silently.
  14. adequate
    about average; acceptable
    “I hope the meal was satisfactory,” he said.
    “It was adequate,” Father replied.
  15. ruefully
    in a manner expressing pain or sorrow
    Father smiled ruefully. “When you have more experience, you will know better,” he said.
  16. ware
    commodities offered for sale
    “Daimyos make very poor customers. They expect to buy everything at the lowest prices—that is, unless they force you into making a gift of your wares.”
  17. embroider
    decorate with needlework
    Now he was dressed in a magnificent red silk kimono with the fish crest embroidered on it.
  18. prod
    poke or thrust abruptly
    Lord Hakuseki prodded one of them with his foot. “Bring me their tea.”
  19. humble
    marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful
    Father lowered his head humbly and bent forward on his hands and knees.
  20. crude
    conspicuously and tastelessly indecent
    Lord Hakuseki looked inside each box, smelling the contents. Then he licked his finger and poked it inside one of them. Drawing it out, he tasted the tea leaves that clung to it. Seikei was glad that Father could not see how crudely the daimyo was testing his wares.
  21. suitable
    meant or adapted for an occasion or use
    “I need paper fine enough to write a message for the shogun,” he said. “You understand? The shogun himself. I am bringing him a gift, and I wish to enclose a suitable poem with it.”
  22. delicate
    marked by great skill especially in meticulous technique
    From where he sat, Seikei could see that each sheet was different. Most were white, though their textures ranged from very smooth to some that were as rough as pine bark. A few sheets were delicately colored, and the daimyo picked one of them up.
  23. inspire
    supply the idea for
    “It just popped into my head,” Lord Hakuseki said. “I think I was inspired by you.”
  24. beckon
    summon with a wave, nod, or some other gesture
    Lord Hakuseki beckoned to one of his guards.
  25. noble
    having high or elevated character
    “It is true that Basho was a samurai,” Michiko said. “But he discarded his swords. Isn’t it Basho’s spirit that we admire in his poetry? Though you are a merchant’s son, you can still develop a noble spirit—brave, honest, and faithful to your family. And if you do, who can stop you from writing poetry?”
  26. kabuki
    a traditional form of Japanese drama
    “I have never seen a kabuki play,” Seikei said.
  27. rite
    an established ceremony prescribed by a religion
    The village had no priest, and Kokushi offered to perform the Buddhist rites for the man’s soul.
  28. shroud
    burial garment in which a corpse is wrapped
    As quickly as a cat swallows a mouse, the demon ate everything—hair, bones, even the shroud.
  29. privy
    a room or building equipped with one or more toilets
    Seikei heard the slow footsteps of samurai going down the hall to the privy in the courtyard, and then returning.
  30. whorl
    a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles
    The walls were decorated with a pattern of whorls and curlicues. Every time Seikei looked in their direction, he seemed to see large eyes staring at him.
  31. curlicue
    a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles
    The walls were decorated with a pattern of whorls and curlicues. Every time Seikei looked in their direction, he seemed to see large eyes staring at him.
  32. marionette
    a figure operated from above with strings by a puppeteer
    Seikei sat up as quickly as if he had been a marionette on strings.
  33. keen
    demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
    His ears were so keen now that he thought he could hear insects crawling in the corners of the room.
  34. magistrate
    a lay judge or civil authority who administers the law
    The other guests of the inn filed in and sat on the floor in front of the magistrate.
  35. virtuous
    morally excellent
    “I would give the coin to a temple, Lord,” the servant replied.
    The judge nodded. “That would be virtuous.”
Created on Fri Apr 21 10:46:38 EDT 2023 (updated Tue Apr 25 11:36:12 EDT 2023)

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