the instant of birth (rebirth)
vicissitudes; ups and downs
the 36 (ancient Chinese military) strategies (of which the last resort was said to be beating a retreat)
peace and tranquillity; halcyon times of peace; peaceful world
The Art of War (military text by Sun Tzu, 512 BCE)
fire attack; attacking and burning enemy troops, warships, provisions, etc.
(medical) decoction; infusion
jumping about; rampancy; domination
throwaway match (i.e. one played after a tournament has already been decided); dead rubber
to make oneself known to the public; to become popular; to gain influence
fan service; giving one's fans what they want
major label debut (recording)
clubbers; frequenters of nightclubs; partygoers
to save an enemy from trouble instead of taking advantage of their weakness; to show humanity even to one's enemy; to help one's enemy in difficulty
destiny; will of Heaven; luck
giving something a try because it will not do any harm
if times were better; if one had been born at an earlier, more opportune time; if times had not changed; if I had my due
(arch.) peoples formerly of northern Japan with distinct language and culture (i.e. the Ainu); provincial (i.e. a person who lives far from the city); brutish, unsophisticated warrior (esp. used by Kyoto samurai to refer to samurai from eastern Japan); foreigner; barbarian
losing posture; falling position from which it is impossible to recover; lame duck; hopeless situation
bluntly (refusing, etc.); flatly; out of hand; completely
Sichuan (province in China); Shu; Shu Han; Shu; kingdom in ancient China (-316 BCE)
Cao Cao (155-220), famous statesman and general at the end of Han, noted poet and calligrapher, later warlord, founder and first king of Cao Wei, father of Emperor Cao Pi; the main villain of novel the Romance of Three Kingdoms
fetters; shackles; hobbles; encumbrance; hindrance; burden
festival (esp. music, film, etc.)
driving; pounding in; falling badly in love; putting (one's heart) into; step recording (in electronic or computer music)