relief; embossed carving; bringing to the fore; throwing something into relief
image; figure; figure; form; image
beginning (of a century, etc.)
tough guy; wild one; veteran (in a particular field); expert; person of surprising audacity; someone with a lot of nerve
teaching the basics; initiation; introduction
leather strap binding the plates of traditional Japanese armor (armour)
great writer; literary master; distinguished author
left side; left-hand side
public lavatory; public toilet; public restroom; slut; whore; floozy
master; teacher; stable master
early summer; fourth month of the lunar calendar
ball; sphere; bead (of sweat, dew, etc.); drop; ball (in sports); pitch (e.g. in baseball); pile (of noodles, etc.)
wear from frequent handling
readiness; preparedness; attitude; kanji "vapor" radical
notebook; memo pad; certificate; identification card
shopfront; storefront; shopwindow; over-the-counter
translation; version (e.g. "English version")
Japanese fiber banana (Musa basjoo)
collection of haiku poems
to pass (of time); to elapse
to pile up; to make a heap; to lay (e.g. bricks); to acquire (e.g. experience); to build (a reputation)
disordered; confused; unpolished; rough
to look around; to take a view of
while doing over and over; repeatedly
time; hour; season; suitable time; opportunity; chance
to have been decided (so) that; to have been arranged (so) that
constitution (physical); physical make-up; predisposition (to disease); character (of a group, organization, etc.); innate characteristics; make-up
indigenous people; aborigines; indigenes
birthplace; origin; cradle; motherland
the public; the street (e.g. "word on the street"); street; district; location (e.g. of a battle); scene (e.g. of carnage)
dust; dirt; dreary world; petty affairs of everyday life
in accordance with; according to; as X, then Y (e.g. as we age we gain wisdom, as wine matures it becomes more valuable, etc.)
delicate; minute; fine; detailed; subtle
transfiguration; transformation; change of appearance
door; gate; opening; title page