Ghost Hunt:Volume1 Translator's Notes
悪霊シリーズ
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.
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.
Momotaro
In the folktale Momotaro, the dog following Momotaro immediately starts fighting a monkey they encountered, so this is why dogs and monkeys can't get along.
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