glossary of terms

Amagasaki:

City in Hyogo prefecture, near Osaka, in the Kansai region. Kansai is often contrasted with the Kanto region, which is mainly made up of Tokyo. Dialects in the Kansai region have their own variations of pronunciation and vocabulary. The people of Osaka and Amagasaki are especially known for their strong dialects and aggressive attitude.
Amagaski Information at Wikipedia

Baby, the Stars Shine Bright:

Tokyo design house. Currently one of the most popular brands of Lolita fashion in Japan. Established in 1988 by Akinori Isobe and his wife Fumiyo.
BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT

Baroque:

Style of art and design that emerged in Europe around 1600, as a reaction to the Mannerist style of the Late Renaissance. One of the great periods of art history, this movement was promoted by the Catholic Church as a return to tradition and spirituality. In the 18th century, Baroque was elaborated upon by the involved Rococo style. What is currently known as “Goth” fashion was influenced by these developments. See rococo.
baroque information at wikipedia

Biker Gang:

Also known as bosozoku, (literally “speed tribe,” known also as “kamikaze bikers”). Japanese subculture of gangs of young men who share a interest in riding motorcycles and designing (often illegal) modifications. Their activities include driving down streets at high speeds, mostly done just for thrills rather than actual racing. Typically, the gang leader, who is responsible for all such “events,” rides in front. It used to be believed that such gangs were recruiting grounds for yakuza.

Recently this subculture, which peaked in the 1980s, has gone out of fashion, though it still survives in suburban areas.

Sad fact: some gangs have only one or two members left today!
biker gang information at wikipedia
a history of bosozuku

Daikanyama:

Hottest fashion spot in Tokyo, even more so than Harajuku or Shibuya. For someone living in an out-of-the way place like Shimotsuma, they might think it’s the name of a mountain; “Yama” means a “mountain” in Japanese.

Daikanyama Information By Metropolis
Daikanyama Official Website (Japanese)

Haruo Mizuno:

Famous Film Critic, Director. With a strangely unique background of working at 20th Century Fox after attending Police Academy in the US, became famous as a “Movie Show” host on TV. He also directed, produced and appeared in 5 sequels of his Movie “Siberia Express,” which is known as a B-movie action film yet popular among cult followers.

www.mizunoharuo.com

Ichigo:

Ichiko's real name, which she was hiding. “Ichigo” means “strawberry.” Momoko makes fun of her because it sounds too fancy for a Yanki.

JUSCO:

Stands for “Japan United Stores Company.” A chain retailer similar to Wal-Mart. Stores throughout Japan, especially in suburban areas. Also regarded as a synonym for “cheap and casual.”

Lolita/Gothic Lolita:

Youth fashion from Japan. Started in the 1980s.

Clothes reminiscent of Victorian dolls, with frills, lace, petticoats, and head-dresses. Accessories include teddy bears and parasols. Full outfits can be bought from stores that strictly sell only Lolita fashion. Some Lolita prefer to make their own clothes.

Lolita style with lots of pink, white, baby blue, soft purple, frills, and lace is known as “Sweet Lolita.” Lolita fashion with gothic twists, such as deeper and darker shades of colors, is known as “Gothic Lolita” (aka “GothLoli”).

The idea is to wear clothes that few can understand and not be afraid to be alone.

Lolita Fashion Information at Wikipedia

Check out Kamikazegirls.net's culture essay:
"Not always so simple: life as a lolita"

Ozaki:

Yutaka Ozaki is a tragic Japanese rock star who died at age 26 on April 25,1992. He was deeply respected by his followers, many of whom are Yanki, by expressing the frustrations of young people trapped in an unreasonable social system. His songs dealt with heavy subjects like teenage prostitution. The song Ichigo sings in the movie is one of the most loved songs he made, “Fifteen's Night,” from his legendary debut album Seventeen's Map.

The cause of his death was excessive accumulation of fluid in his lungs (pulmonary edema) several hours after being found drunk and naked in a Tokyo alleyway early in the morning. It was officially announced that Ozaki's death had nothing to do with drug use, however, few believed, citing Ozaki's 1987 arrest and 18-month suspended sentence for possession of speed. Even after his death, he and his songs have attarcted a huge number of fans, and many of them gather to commemorate the anniversary of his death every year.

Yutaka Ozaki's Official Site

Pachinko:

Japanese gambling game, a cross between a slot machine and pinball. Term is derived from the Japanese word pachi-pachi, meant to evoke the clicking of small objects or the crackling of fire. 

Pachinko first appeared in the early 1920s, and the first pachinko parlor opened in Osaka. Takeichi Masamura is known as the founder of today's pachinko. He developed the "Masamura Gauge,” an arrangement of nails that became the basis for most of today's pachinko machines. In the 1980s pachinko machines became computerized and now have sounds and graphics that make the game more exciting.

Pachinko is often the most fun thing to do in Japanese suburbs and rural areas. Even if you lose your job, you can still fool your family into thinking you’re working by making cash at pachinko parlors. For some, pachinko is the most effective way to earn money.
Pachinko Information at Wikipedia

PARCO:

Department store chain targeting cutting-edge, snobbish clientele. Parcos tend to be located around commercial and shopping districts in major cities.

Redisu (“Ladies”):

Female bosozoku. Known for being fast at everything—getting kicked out from school, getting pregnant, and becoming a single mom—and (maybe as a result?) for their intestinal fortitude.

Rococo:

Style of art and design developed in reaction to the formalities of Late Baroque interiors.

Movement was centered in France and is generally associated with the reign of King Louis XV (1715-1774). Flashy, elaborate, decorative style of art.

Mysteriously, Japanese Lolita worship this world.

rococo information at wikipedia

Shimotsuma:

Rural city in Ibaraki prefecture, approximately sixty miles away from Tokyo. Transportation is not developed, so can be quite a challenge to get to Tokyo from here. Shimotsuma’s special product is cabbage. Unfortunately, this is Shimotsuma’s only distinction and no one even knows that.
Shimotsuma City Information at Wikipedia
Shimotsuma City Official Website (Japanese)

USHIKU Buddha:

The World's tallest Buddha statue located in Ushiku, Ibaraki. Also called as USHIKU ARCADIA:

A=Amida's

R=Radiance

C=Compassion

A=Actually

D=Developing

I=Illuminating

A=Area

Completed in 1995, it stands a total of 120 meters above the ground with 4000 tons in weight. An elevator takes visitors up to 85 meters off the ground, where an observation floor is located.
more information on ushiku buddha

VIVAYOU

Japanese lady's fashion brand which gained popularity in 80's by the former chief designer Hiromichi Nakano, offering a style with a concept of Sexy, Pretty and Edgy.

Yakuza:

Also known as gokudo. Members of traditional organized crime groups in Japan. In Japanese legal terminology, yakuza organizations are referred to as boryokudan, literally, “violence groups,” or more traditionally, “samurai heritage groups.” In the West, they are frequently referred to as “the Japanese Mafia.” They are more often engaged in black market business—such as manufacturing fake brand-name goods, running city festival stands (like selling water balloons to kids), and loaning money—than fighting against other yakuza, as often seen in movies.
yakuza information at wikipedia

Yanki (“Yankee”):

Yanki are notable for their characteristic hairstyles and clothes. They usually have permanent waves of varying styles and length. They are well known for their thin cardigans in black, white, and red. Short permed hair, shaved eyebrows and hairlines, primary colors, and narrow belts are derived from what once was yakuza style.

Yanki take pride in their appearance and also in the fact that they are intimidating. Despite their name, Yanki are attracted to Japanese-patriotic, right-wing ideas and prefer using Chinese characters to decorate their clothes and bikes. Mysteriously, although they seem attracted to political thought and ancient languages, most of them are dropouts.

Check out Kamikazegirls.net's culture essay:
"Live fast, Die Youg: Life as a Yanki"