What does the Japanese word gakure mean in English?

Answer 1

If you're possibly referring to the style of naming for Hidden Ninja Villages in Naruto manga/anime series, the word 'gakure' originates from 'kakusu'/'kakureru'. Kakusu means 'to hide', kakureru means 'to be hidden' and 'kakure' means 'concealed, hidden within'.

When the word 'kakure' is preceded by another word the 'ka' syllable turns to 'ga' (recieves a dakuten (voiced consonant marker in shape of ") and thus you hear e.g. Konoha Gakure, instead of Konoha Kakure [かくれ -> がくれ]). In total, a name such as "Konoha Gakure no Sato" means literally "The Villaged Concealed Amongst the Leaves of the Trees", or more simply, Hidden Konoha Village.