examination; exam; test; trial; experiment; test
surely; undoubtedly; sternly; severely; having no slack; rigid
to like; to be pleased with; to be delighted with; to take a liking to; to suit one's fancy
origin; source; base; basis; cause; ingredient; material
professional killer; hit man
good person; virtuous person
qualifications; requirements; capabilities
seriousness; earnestness; truth; sanctity
to think; to consider; to think (of doing); to plan (to do); to judge; to assess; to imagine
rubbish; trash; garbage; refuse
river; stream; River; the ... river
(many) mountains; very much (wanting to do something one cannot); greatly; so many; a lot of
permission; approval; authorization; to permit; to authorize
floor; stage (for the narrator and the shamisen player); dining platform built across a river
to roll; to tumble; to fall over; to roll over; to lie down; to be scattered about; to be lying around
this time; now; next time; another time; recently; lately
to set free; to let go; to release; to miss (e.g. a chance); to lose; to let get away
to stand; to rise; to find oneself (e.g. in a difficult position); to depart (on a plane, train, etc.)
to make war (on); to wage war (against); to compete (against); to struggle (against adversities, etc.); to fight
worst; horrible; horrid; in the worst case; if worst comes to worst
state of affairs (around you); situation; circumstances
as expected; sure enough; after all (is said and done); in the end; too; also
beginning; outset; first; onset
a short while ago; already
such ... as; or some such
judging from; on the basis of; from the point of view of
it is ... that ...; precisely; although; while; it is precisely because ... that ...; only because ...
cowardly; timid; easily frightened
eye; eyeball; eyesight; sight; look; stare; notice
oneself (itself, etc.); I; me; you; by oneself (itself, etc.); interjection expressing anger or chagrin
difference (of opinion); strange; odd; different
to believe; to believe in; to place trust in; to confide in; to have faith in
and yet; despite this; but even so; but even then; however; nevertheless
always; all the time; never; usual; regular
reckless; thoughtless; rash; ill-advised; impulsive; mad (e.g. scheme)
life or death struggle; mortal combat; struggle to the death
to challenge to (a fight, game, etc.); to throw down the gauntlet; to tackle (e.g. a problem); to attempt; to pressure (someone) for sex; to make advances to
contradiction; inconsistency
self-respect; esteem; self-importance; pride
where; what place; how much (long, far); what extent
around there; near there; or thereabouts; or so; such a matter; such a thing
to leave as; to view as; to maintain the status quo
to be silent; to say nothing
main; principal; main dish; main course; main part; principal part