指南 [shinan] – Literally “pointing south”, this word means teaching or instruction. Why south? This word has its origins in ancient Chinese south pointing chariots…

がんぷく [ganpuku] – Combining the character for eye (眼) with fortune (福), ganpuku means ‘the joy of beholding a beautiful/rare sight’.

ななひかり [nanahikari] – Literally: “seven lights”, this word refers to a person whose success or fame is owed largely to their powerful/influential parents (or spouse).

ためぐち [tameguchi] – Refers to speaking to someone else as an equal (without using humble/honorific or formal language).

しののめ [shinonome] – Composed of the kanji for ‘east’ and ‘cloud’, shinonome means “early dawn” (the time when the eastern sky starts to become visible).

さえずり [saezuri] – Although the kanji is rarely used, saezuri can mean either ① the singing of birds (especially mating season singing), or ② a whale’s tongue.

つつもたせ [tsutsumotase] – This word refers to a kind of con in which a man’s wife or lover seduces another man, whom is then coerced into giving up his money.