This section should help explain some of the untranslatable aspects of Ranma ½. If you've ever encountered some part of the manga or anime that you just didn't understand, then please look here for an answer.
Asura
Asuras (who come from the Hindu religion) are the powerful beings who are opposed to the devas. In early Vedic times, they were originally another class of gods. Such important Vedic gods as Varuna and Mitra were classified as asuras. By the end of the Vedic period, however, the asuras had attained their more demonic role.
Clothing
•Hakama- Kuno wears hakama which are loose trousers tied over a kimono or haori. These are so loose that they can be mistaken for a skirt.
•Kimono- A kimono is a traditional robe-like garment worn by both men and women. Women's kimonos tend to be more colorful. They are often worn on special occasions such as New Year's Day celebrations and at other festivals.
•Martial Arts Gi- The preferred clothing of Soun and Genma, a martial arts gi consists of a top which is wrapped across the opposite side and tied together.
•Chinese clothes- Ranma is almost always seen wearing Chinese style clothing. Usually when he has some important occasion he wears his "Chairman Mao" outfit, which is made up of a green shirt, pants and hat with a red star on them.
Gosunkugi's Candles
This originates from "Ushi no Koku Mairi", a kind of old curse in Japan. This type of magic is done around 2:00 AM, so some light is required. The first woman who did "Ushi no Koku Mairi" had a torch in her mouth, over the years it has evolved into candles.
Hand Gestures
•There are a few hand gestures that are used exclusively in Japan, and may be unfamilar to Americans. For instance holding one's hand palm down with the fingers extended and dropping the wrist up and down is the Japanese gesture for "Come here." Shampoo can be seen doing this in "Shampoo's Sudden Switch, The Curse of the Contrary Jewel".
•Another gesture unique to Japan is when discussing a mistress, one would make a fist and extend their pinky finger.
•When the index and middle fingers are extended this is called "oyakusoku pozu". It is a sign of surprise or shock and literally means "promise pose".
The Heno Heno Moheji Face
The "Heno Heno Moheji" face is often shown in manga. It is a popular piece of graffiti in Japan. "Heno Heno Moheji" doesn't translate to anything, it just looks like a face. Here's how it breaks down...He: Eyebrows
No:Eye
Mo: Nose
He: Mouth
Ji:Outline of the face
Inkstone and Inkstick
In order to be able to write with a brush (called a fude) one must have ink. It is far easier to carry dried ink (sumi) and to prepare ink as you need it by rubbing a stick of ink on a wet inkstone. Kuno and the Martial Arts Calligrapher have both been shown using these.
Jizo
Jizo is the Japanese name of this Bodhisattva (A Bodhisattva is one who devotes his or her life to freeing others from suffering. Bodhisattvas are not worshipped, but are an inspiration to awaken the qualities of an enlightened being that are inherent in everyone), who was also known in ancient India as Kshitigarbha Bodhisattva, guardian of the great Earth. Jizo Bodhisattva has a special affinity for infants and children. Jizo festivals in Japan are family celebrations. Jizo temples are decorated with red and white lanterns, and there are games and food especially for children. Images of Jizo Bodhisattva also are used during ceremonies of remembrance for children who have died. Small statues of Jizo are often seen by the side of the road in Japan, sometimes in groups and often with a cloth or bib around the image's neck. Kind passerbys often leave a stone beside the statue to honor it and the children it represents.
Kamidana
Shinto altars mounted on walls. Kamidana translates to "god shelf". The Tendos have one mounted on the wall in their dojo in honor of the late Mrs. Tendo.
Kendo
The word kendo is a recent term that means "way of the sword". This is Japanese fencing based on samurai fighting styles. In the 18th century protective equipment and a bamboo sword, the shinai (see below) were introduced to reduce injuries. Tatewaki Kuno is the captain of the Furinkan High School Kendo Club.
Kingyo-Sukui
Goldfish dipping is done by attempting to catch goldfish in a tank with a net made of a handle with a loop of wire and paper over the loop. This takes a great deal of skill otherwise you break the paper. This is very difficult because once the paper gets wet it breaks under the goldfish's weight. Ranma practices this game to master the "Katchu Tenshin Amaguri-ken" technique. Yusaku Godai from Maison Ikkoku is also extremely good at this game.
Kunoichi
Konatsu is a master Kunoichi which were a secret sisterhood in ancient Japan. These women were experts in deception and masters of assassination. Female shrine attendants, concubines and servants moved about a feudal lord's castle with ease. Since these women went virtually unnoticed, they were capable of committing acts of espionage with little or no interference.
Kunoichi-jutsu revolves around the art of deception. These warrior-women based their training on surprise tactics and hidden weapons. A Kunoichi never wastes time or energy in combative situations. Their unarmed fighting and weaponry skills made use of strategically placed vital attacks that are designed to incapacitate their opponents very quickly. Ever-vigilant, the Kunoichi is never a victim. Although she may appear weak and helpless, it is a ruse. In reality, the Kunoichi uses her outward appearance and conditioned emotional responses to manipulate those who would cause her harm.
Misogi
A practice of removing sin and pollution from body and mind by use of water. There are many specific forms of misogi depending on the circumstances. There is also a custom of sprinkling water at gate of home in morning and evening, which is what the elderly woman that often splashes Ranma is doing.
Mizugori
Soun Tendo does this in the third OAV in the scene where he is pouring water over his shoulder as part of a prayer for Akane's success in the kitchen. This is somewhat similar to the aformentioned misogi.
Okonomiyaki
Sometimes called "Japanese pancakes" or "Japanese pizza", okonomiyaki is batter cooked on a hot griddle. "Okonomiyaki" literally means "as you like in" in reference to using whatever ingrediants you like.
Oni
Oni are Japanese demons. They are usually described as having horns and wearing animals skins. The Oni in Ranma ½ has a few characteristics in common with Lum from Urusei Yatsura. Oni are usually depicted much more monsterous that shown here.
Seven Lucky Gods
The Seven Lucky Gods or Shichi Fujukin are a group of seven Japanese Shinto gods of luck. They are often portrayed in a ship of treasures, called Takara-Bune. The Shichi Fujukin ("seven happiness beings") are: Benten, Bishamon, Daikoku, Ebisu, Fukurokuju, Hotei, and Jurojin. At Sanganichi, the Japanese New Year, people pray to them after cleaning their houses thoroughly.
Shinai
The bamboo sword used in kendo. Akane is sometimes shown wielding one against Ranma. The shinai is made of four split pieces of bamboo (or a synthetic material than can substitute for bamboo).
Sneaking Mask
In the first film, Akane is shown wearing a mask like this when she breaks into Kirin's pickle vats. Happosai is often shown wearing one when he goes on his panty raids. The American version of this would be a thief wearing a black mask over their eyes.
Shogi and Go
•If you've watched the episode where the Tendos and Saotomes fight Uragishi Sankichi, the Shogi martial artist, then you might have some understanding of the game. Basically it's the Japanese version of chess. The difference is that captured pieces can be used by the opponent.
•Go originated in China more that 4,000 years ago and was introduced to Japan around 1,300 years ago. One player uses black stones, while the other uses white. The player with black always goes first. Each stone moves along the black lines on the board. In the game you attempt to surround as much territory with a continuous line of your stones as possible. By surrounding an opponents stone with with yours, you are able to "kill" that stone. A further explanation of the rules can be found here.
Tanuki
A mammal of the Canidae family, the tanuki resembles the racoon in its facial features. The tanuki is considered to have supernatural abilities but, unlike the fox (Kitsune), it is seen as amusing. Large ceramic statues of tanuki wearing a straw hat and holding a gourd bottle are sometimes displayed outside shops as decorations. Stories often say that tanuki have the ability to change their shape, and often disguise themselves as humans. In Nettohen episode 68 Azusa believes that Kuno is a tanuki in disguise.