The Wall of Storms

GLOSSARY

cashima: a scholar who has passed the second level of the Imperial examinations. The Classical Ano word means “practitioner.” A cashima is allowed to wear his or her hair in a triple scroll-bun and carry a sword. Cashima can also serve as clerks for magistrates and mayors.

cruben: a scaled whale with a single horn protruding from its head; symbol of Imperial power.

cüpa: a game played with black and white stones on a grid.

dyran: a flying fish, symbol of femininity and sign of good fortune. It is covered by rainbow-colored scales and has a sharp beak.

firoa: a cashima who places within the top one hundred in the Grand Examination is given this rank. The Classical Ano word means “a (good) match.” Based on their talents, the firoa are either given positions in Imperial administration, assigned to work for various enfeoffed nobles, or promoted to engage in further study or research with the Imperial Academy.

géüpa: an informal sitting position where the legs are crossed and folded under the body, with each foot tucked under the opposite thigh.

jiri: a woman’s bow where the hands are crossed in front of the chest in a gesture of respect.

kunikin: a large, three-legged drinking vessel.

Mingén falcon: a species of extraordinarily large falcon native to the island of Rui.

mipa rari: a formal kneeling position where the back is kept straight and weight is evenly distributed between the knees and toes.

moaphya: an ancient Ano instrument of the “metal” class, consisting of rectangular bronze slabs of various thicknesses suspended from a frame and struck with a mallet to produce different pitches.

ogé: drops of sweat.

pana méji: a scholar who has done especially well in the Grand Examination and is given the chance to participate in the Palace Examination, where the emperor himself assesses the qualities of the candidates and assigns them a rank. The Classical Ano phrase means “on the list.”

pawi: animal aspects of the gods of Dara.

Rénga: honorific used to address the emperor.

thakrido: an extremely informal sitting position where one’s legs are stretched out in front; used only with intimates or social inferiors.

toko dawiji: a scholar who has passed the first level of the Imperial examinations. The Classical Ano phrase means “the elevated.” A toko dawiji is allowed to wear his or her hair in a double scroll-bun.

tunoa: grapes.

-tika: suffix expressing endearment among family members.

kyoffir: an alcoholic drink made from fermented garinafin milk.

garinafin: the flying, fire-breathing beast that is the core of Lyucu culture. Its body is about the size of three elephants, with a long tail, two clawed feet, a pair of great, leathery wings, and a slender, snakelike neck topped with a deerlike, antlered head.

tolyusa: a plant with hallucinogenic properties; the berries are essential for the garinafins to breed successfully.