Ghost Hunt:Volume1 Translator's Notes

Translator's Notes and References for

悪霊シリーズ

Volume 1: Ghost Hunt

Prologue

Namuamidabutsu

This is a Buddhist chant/prayer that in Japanese means something like this "I sincerely believe in Amitabha, Lord have mercy on me". You can find more detailed information and better explanation here.

Chapter 3

Oba-san

While this term literally means "aunt", it is generally used for middle-aged woman. However, calling a young woman (under age 40) this would be considered an insult. (Ayako is 23 years old.)

Dai-Senpai

Literally "old teacher". Or in other words, a senior teacher older than 50.

Sly Tanuki

Tanuki is a raccoon dog. They are mischievous shapeshifters, like kitsune in folklore. They are also considered slow and absent-minded though. More information here.

Kansai-ben

John speaks in Kansai-ben with an Australian accent. This is often considered funny, frightening, or very rural. Kansai-ben is used often in comedy talkshows.

Bouzu: Kiddo

"Bouzu" is how many people address little boys.

Wate

"Wate" is "Watashi" (I) in the Kansai dialect.

Spoken English

The astericks* indicate spoken English words, as opposed to spoken Japanese.

Chapter 4

Momotaro

In the folktale Momotaro, the Peach Boy, the dog following Momotaro starts fighting a monkey the moment they encountered, so this is why dogs and monkeys can't get along. More information here.

Chapter 5

Jibakurei

Literally "earth-bound spirit." Basically it's a spirit that can't leave a certain location because of its former attachment to it when it was alive.

Chapter 6

Desu

Desu is added for politeness in this case. But in the Osaka dialect, it's supposed to be "dosu" instead.

Epilogue

Town Pages

Town Pages is a directory for businesses.

Hello Pages

Hello Pages is a directory for pseudonyms.

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