beginning character or characters that uniquely identify a poem in the Hyakunin Isshu (esp. used in competitive karuta)
hibernation; staying indoors during winter
competitor; contestant; player; athlete
something that leaps or thrusts out
Nichiren sect; Tendai sect; Lotus Sutra
European magpie (Pica pica)
eternity; perpetuity; immortality; permanence
Naniwa (former name for Osaka region)
to drag down; to pull down; to force out (of power, office, role, etc.)
absentmindedly; dazedly; vaguely
dismissal of class (at the end of the day); recess (at school); break
to air; to dry; to drain (off); to drink up; to deprive of a role, job, etc.
reproachful; hateful; bitter
a gap develops; a significant difference emerges
Yamashiro (former province located in the south of present-day Kyoto Prefecture)
resentment; grudge; malice; matter for regret; regret
one's own ground; one's own position; one's own area of the field (soccer, rugby, etc.)
commander-in-chief; supreme commander; captain (of a team)
great mountain; large mountain
(arch.) youth; (arch.) freshness; good omen; Sweden; Switzerland
to win and advance to the next round
inspiration; afflatus; ability to sense the supernatural (esp. ghosts, etc.)
expresses displeasure or disapproval; just from (doing); simply by
lower tier; lower step; lower column; low position (of a sword in kendo, etc.)
sleeve; wing (of a stage, desk, gate, etc.)
to fight to the bitter end
manjū (steamed bun) with meat filling
to keep talking; to go on and on; to talk non-stop
the number of flat things; win-loss difference which influences the ranking of wrestlers
to set aside; to keep in reserve; to hold on to
dramatic decrease; sharp drop; sudden fall
green; greenery (esp. fresh verdure)
outstanding talent; person of exceptional talent; gifted person
unattractive; ugly; unstylish; uncool