This fic was inspired by, and in part a continuation of, the short-story ‘The Passing’ written by Eastman and Laird. Therefore it is based on, and may contain spoilers for, the original comic series published by Mirage. Specifically Issues 1-14, 19-21 (Return to New York), and 48-62 (Shades of Grey & City at War). Tales of the TMNT Issues 2 and 4 can be chucked in there as well. This list forms the history, and this story starts a few months after Issue 62. You don’t need to have read all of these comics in order to follow this story however.

The TMNT in this are a bit ‘darker’ than the cartoons and some of the other comics. They also all wear red masks. This story may take a little while to get completed, but I have quite a long arc planned for this one. I do hope I get to finish it eventually. However, I just want to take my time to get it right. Any and all critiques and criticisms on my writing are most welcome.

DISCLAIMER: I don’t own the TMNT, or any related characters (much to their relief, I’m sure!) If there is anything else in this story you recognise from somewhere else, then I don’t own that either.

Warnings: This story contains occasional graphic violence, occasional strong coarse language and adult themes. I would also like to make it clear that the views and opinions of the characters in this story do not necessarily reflect my own. I’m a Caucasian who loves Japan so much I spent my honeymoon there, and I have a deep loathing for xenophobia in any form.

GLOSSARY
There are many instances of Japanese terms being used in this story, particularly in later chapters. I am by no means fluent in Japanese, so I apologise for any errors or misuse of the language and will be very grateful if they are pointed out. This Glossary currently includes all Japanese terms and references used within ‘The Beauty of Grey’ up to and including Chapter 8 of the story.

A

Aiguchi - A knife. Similar to a tanto, with a hilt guard.
Arigato - Thank you.
Arigato gozaimashita taihen - Thank you very much (formal).
Asahi - A popular brand of beer in Japan that IS available in vending machines! For those that are interested, the legal drinking age in Japan is 20. When I asked a tour guide how this was policed she stated that their youth simply don’t break these kinds of rules, as it would dishonour their family. How’s that for discipline! Reckon it says a lot about the ‘Japanese psyche’ as well.

B

Bonsowa-ru - Good evening.

C

Chan - A diminutive suffix to a persons’ name. It is an informal version of san used to address children and female family members. It may also be used towards animals, lovers, intimate friends, and people whom one has known since childhood. Chan continues to be used as a term of endearment, especially for girls, into adulthood. Parents will probably always call their daughters chan and their sons kun, though chan can be used towards boys just as easily. Adults may use chan as a term of endearment to women with whom they are on close terms.
Chi - Life force, essence, soul.
Chin - A suffix to a persons’ name; a playful variation of chan. A mispronunciation stereotypically attributed to small children and are thus perceived as baby talk, hence its’ association with cuteness -though "chin" can also be used to give a character a slightly delinquent, psychotic feel- especially if the character speaking is older, and still using it to address people they nominally respect.
Chrysanthemum - This flower is a symbol of the Japanese Emperor. The Imperial Throne is actually known as the ‘Chrysanthemum Throne’ and this flower is featured on the crest of the Imperial family. This is not unusual, most Japanese family crests feature flowers or plants; the crest of the Tokugawa clan features a Holly Hock. The western meaning for a Chrysanthemum is 'truth', in the same way that a red rose means 'love'.

D

Dozo - Please.

E

-

F

Futon - A traditional style Japanese bed, still commonly used today. It consists of a thin ‘mattress’ that is usually rolled up and stored in a cupboard during the day to maximise usable space within the house.

G

Gaijin - Foreigner, barbarian; often used as a derogative term for ‘Westerners’.
Geisha - A female entertainer, trained in classical arts (music, singing etc…). NOT a prostitute.
Geta - Wooden sandals worn by men and women with ‘casual’ kimono.
Gi - A martial arts uniform consisting of cotton or canvas pants and simple ‘kimono’ style top held closed with a belt of the same material.

H

Hai - Yes.
Hen’itai - Mutant.

I

Iie - No.

J

Jonin - The head of a ninja school or clan.
Joushuuhan - Habitual criminal.
Jukeisha - A suffix to a persons’ name; used as a title for a convicted criminal.

K

Kame - Turtle.
Kappa - Mythological water spirits of Japan that appear much like turtles with a ‘bowl’ of water in the top of their heads.
Komon - A style of kimono with a small, repeated pattern throughout the garment. Somewhat casual: may be worn around town, or dressed up with a nice obi for a restaurant. Both married and unmarried women may wear komon.
Kunoichi - Female ninja
Kurokote - Gauntlet(s), metal guard covering the back of the forearm, wrist, hand and fingers.

L

-

M

Meiji Era - Named for the reign of Emperor Meiji (1868 – 1912), and effectively the end of the Tokugawa shogunate. This period marked the end of Japans’ ~300 year self-imposed exclusion from international society under Tokugawa rule. Thus, this was the first time ‘modern Western society’ made a strong impact on the culture of Japan.

N

Nagajuban - Worn beneath the kimono. This is another kimono, usually shorter than the outer one, worn as underwear, complete with the long kimono sleeves, which are neatly fitted inside the outer kimono's sleeves. Only the collar edge of the nagajuban shows from beneath the outer kimono.
Nagamaki - A sword blade mounted on a short wooden pole, about the same length as the blade.
Nezumi - Rat, mouse.
Niisan - Older brother; often used with the prefix ‘O’ (O-nii-san) when referring to one’s own brother, as it indicates a closer bond.

O

Obi - A sash or belt used to wrap around a kimono. Obi are generally worn differently depending on the occasion, and they are usually more intricate for women.
Ohayo gozaimasu - Good morning.
Oni - Mythological demons or trolls.
Otosan - Father.

P / Q

-

R

Renmei - Group, club, league.
Ryokan - A type of Japanese Inn, similar to a bed and breakfast. The lay-out of these is often very similar; the ground-floor dedicated to the reception, a dining area (dinner is often available, and occasionally lunch), shared bathroom facilities for the guests including a traditional Japanese bath, and often the private living area of the family owning the premises. The rooms are very simple and more often than not are supplied with futon and a small table with a hot water urn and sachets of green tea and miso soup. I have stayed in one ryokan that had two single ‘western-style’ beds in one room, but they were very small and made the room quite cramped. We actually requested a move to a traditional room, much to the surprise of the owners! If you ever travel to Japan I highly recommend staying in ryokan.

S

Sakura - Cherry Blossom.
Sama - Honorific, formal version of San, used when addressing someone of higher rank.
San - Honorific for a friend / colleague / equal / student.
Sensei - Teacher, honorific for a teacher / superior.
Shichiya - A pawn shop.
Shinkiro - Mirage.
Shogi - Traditional Japanese sliding screen doors, often made with thin wood and rice paper.
Shuko - Iron climbing claws attached to the hand by means of a metal hoop or leather strap.
Shuriken - Metal throwing star.

T

Tabi - Thick canvas boots, with a supple ribbed rubber sole. The end of foot is split into two sections, one for the big toe the other for the rest giving greater flexibility. These boots wrap around the thigh, often with the pants tucked into them.
Tanto - A knife, without a hilt guard.
Tetsubishi - Caltrop; a weapon made up of two (or more) sharp nails or spines arranged in such a manner that one of them always points upward from a stable base (for example, a tetrahedron).
Tonfa - A wooden shaft approximately one foot long with a small handle mounted to one side, close to one end. Similar to a truncheon.

U / V / W

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X / Y / Z

Yakuza - Traditional organised crime groups in Japan. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Japanese mafia’, though they are a collection of different gangs and do not restrict membership only to family members, nor those of Japanese descent.