Here is a brief synopsis of ''Inuyasha ' by Takahashi Rumiko:

Long ago in Japan's Feudal era (Sengoku-Jidai), a hanyou by the name of Inuyasha, attempted to steal the Shikon no Tama. However, as he was making his escape, he was stopped by the dying miko, Kikyou. She proceeded to shoot Inuyasha in the chest with a magical sealing arrow, pinning him to the Goshinboku tree in a deep sleep. Kikyou then dies from her injuries, but not before telling her sister Kaede, to place the Shikon no Tama with her in the funeral pyre so it won't fall into the wrong hands and become tainted.

Hundreds of years later; in the year 1996; a young girl, Kagome Higurashi, is celebrating her fifteenth birthday. Due to a strange run of circumstance, Kagome is pulled into an ancient well that resides on the temple grounds that her family cares for. She is transported back to the 'Warring States' era, fifty years after Kikyou's death. There she awakens the sleeping Inuyasha and discovers that she is thought to be the reincarnation of Kikyou. To make matters more confusing for Kagome, she discovers the Shikon no Tama has been residing in her body.

Then, much to Kagome's chagrin, the Shikon no Tama is shattered into pieces that become scattered across Japan. Now, Inuyasha and Kagome are traveling around Feudal era Japan in search of the shards, fighting youkai, and trying to keep the shards from falling into evil hands.

Here are a list of terms that may be used when I am writing summaries, or etc, for Inu Yasha.

Miko- A shinto priestess.orA virginal girl associated with a Shinto Shrine.

Youkai- Youkai are magical creatures. They are the Japanese equivalent of elves, fairies, goblins, trolls, and etc...

Tessaiga-(or Tetsusaiga as Viz spells it)- Inuyasha's sword that transforms from a rusty katana into a large very powerful sword. The Tessaiga was made from a fang of Inuyasha's father, it also helps keep his youkai blood at bay. The sword has different attacks, such as....

Kaze no Kizu- Wind Scar

Bakuryuuha- Destroy's Barriers

Kongousouha- Diamond Spear Blast.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Sankon Tetsusou- (Soul Scattering Iron Claw)- (Iron Reaver Soul Stealer *cringe*) One of Inuyasha's attacks with his claws.

Hijin Ketsusou- Blades of Blood- An Inuyasha attack where blades are made from his own blood.

Inu- Dog

Inu Youkai- Dog Youkai

Inu no Taisho- Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru's father. A great Youkai Lord.

Shikon no Tama- Jewel of the Four Souls. The Shikon jewel.

Go-shin-boku- (The Goshinboku Tree)- The tree that Inuyasha was sealed to by Kikyou.

Hanyou- Half Youkai/Half Human.

Tenseiga- One of Sesshoumaru's swords. It was forged from his father's fang. It doesn't attack like normal swords, it restores life instead of taking it.

Toukijin- The second of Sesshoumaru's swords. This is an evil sword forged from the teeth of one of Naraku's offsprings.

The Bone Gobbling Well- (Hone Kui no Ido)- The well that Inuyasha and Kagome use to travel from the Sengoku-Jidai to modern Tokyo, and back again.

Sengoku-Jidai- The period in Japan dating from 1467-1568. Also been referred to as the 'Warring States' period, and the Feudal era.

Kitsune- Fox

Kitsune Bi- Fox Fire. Shippou uses this to attack.

Houshi- Monk

Bouzu- An insulting term for a Buddhist Monk. Inuyasha refers to Miroku in this way occasionally.

Taijiya- Youkai Exterminator.

Hiraikotsu- Big Boomerang weapon that Sango uses.

Saimyoushou- Hell's insects. The insects that fly around and report to Naraku.

Tanuki- An animal that looks a bit like a dog and a bit like a raccoon. Hachi, Miroku's youkai associate is a tanuki.

Ai- Love

Ai Shiteru- I Love You

Arigato- Thank you

Sayonara- Goodbye

Baka- Idiot/Stupid/Fool

Seiyuu- Japanese Voice Actors

Sake- Wine

Osuwari- Sit! (In reference to a dog, NOT as in, "Will you 'sit' down?") Kagome loves this word, Inuyasha on the other hand..... :)

Manga- Japanese style comics

Konnichi wa- Hello

Kawaii- Cute

Hentai- Pervert/Perverted

Gomen- I'm sorry

Hai- Yes

Chibi- Small

Bishounen- Pretty boys

Bishoujo- Pretty girls

Neko- Cat

Raijekijin- Blade of Lightning. The Blade that Hiten, of The Thunder Brothers; uses.

kusarikama- The chain sickle that Kohaku uses.

Jyaki- Evil energy.

Ayame- Her name means 'Blue Iris'.