fighting (against); taking on (an opponent); facing; confronting; competing (with); battle
excessive praise; undeserved praise
childhood friend; friend from infancy; old playmate
although at this late hour; now, although it is too late; afresh; anew; again
flying; leaping; zero; naught; flying fish (esp. the Japanese flying fish, Cypselurus agoo); running out of points (zero or fewer)
stubborn; obstinate; pigheaded
to grow; to spring up; to sprout; to cut (teeth)
here and there; in places
(water-filled) paddy field
soil fertility; soil quality; productivity of the soil
rice plant (Oryza sativa)
Kazusa (former province located in the central part of present-day Chiba Prefecture)
engineering works; civil engineering; public works
red clay; tuff loam; dark-red paint
to spread (out); to extend; to stretch; to reach to; to get around; to fill (e.g. a space)
to level (earth); to cut through (a mountain); to split (the opposition); to break (strike)
marshland; wetland; swampland
solemn; grave; impressive
loyalty; devotion; fidelity; inspector of the Imperial Prosecuting and Investigating Office (ritsuryo system)
completion of construction
diligence; industry; assiduity; hard work
one may well say so, but ...; even more than
designing a font; creating a new character not currently available
maid; helper; help; assistance
to be astonished; to be amazed
financial power; financial means; wealth
heir; successor; family estate; family fortune; headship of a family