secretary; councillor; councilor
country in civil war; country disarrayed by war; Warring States period (Japan, China); competiton in which there are several evenly-matched participants; hotly-contested game (match, market, etc.)
legal means; legal methods; legal measures
average; medium; mid-grade (item); regular grade; same level as; equal to
to animate; to liven up; to cheer up
discount price; special offer price
grey moustache; white beard
wheat straw; barley straw
domestic help; domestic helper; domestic servant; maid
800,000; eight hundred thousand
just then; at that time; right then; appropriate moment
son of a bitch; piece of shit
flying fish (esp. the Japanese flying fish, Cypselurus agoo)
prime of one's working life
bargain goods; loss leader; eye-catching goods; featured product
competing; competition; auction
deva and naga; heavenly dragon
perfect; complete; flawless
Hades (Greek god); Pluto (Roman god)
watch stand; watcher's seat; attendant's booth (e.g. at an onsen)
sedative; tranquilizer; tranquiliser
obstruction of business; interference with business
bargain; good buy; budget
kidnapping; kidnaping; abduction; kidnapper; kidnaper; abductor
to assemble (e.g. goods into a set); to gather; to put together
trade; buying and selling
(lucky) find; bargain; good buy; treasure trove