How did Japanese words enter English?

The OED lists 552 Japanese loanwords currently in use in the English language. A loanword is a word imported from another language.

The majority of Japanese words entered English in three phases: the late 16th/early 17th centuries, the late 19th century, and the early 21st century.

Before Listening

Can you guess which commonly used Japanese word was the first to enter English? Choose three possible answers from this list:

miso,  sake, shogun, Japan, kimono, anime, bonsai, futon, haiku, matcha, shiitake, sushi

Listen and see if you are right

Listening A2/B1

Listening Activity: Skim listening (A2-B1)

1. Is one of your words the first to enter English?
2. What happened in 1639?
3. How did this affect the number of Japanese loanwords in English?

Extension Activity: Vocabulary worksheet (A2+)

• Food & Drink: Sushi (寿司), Tofu (豆腐), Ramen (ラーメン), Teriyaki (照り焼き), Sashimi (刺身), Matcha (抹茶), Miso (味噌), Sake (酒), Edamame (枝豆), Nori (海苔), Kombu (昆布).
• Technology & Culture: Emoji (絵文字), Karaoke (カラオケ), Manga (漫画), Anime (アニメ), Cosplay (コスプレ), Sudoku (数独).
• Lifestyle & Concepts: Bonsai (盆栽), Futon (布団), Zen (禅), Origami (折り紙), Ikigai (生き甲斐), Kaizen (改善), Honcho (From hancho – 班長).
• Arts & Martial Arts: Samurai (侍), Karate (空手), Judo (柔道), Sumo (相撲), Aikido (合気道), Kabuki (歌舞伎). Wikipedia +6