very interesting; of great interest
naniwabushi; variety of sung narrative popular during the Edo period
hero; heroine; Eroica Symphony (Beethoven, 1804); Heroic Polonaise (Chopin)
work; labor; achievement; performance; salary; income
society; public; community; social studies
achievement; meritorious deed; distinguished service; contribution
middle; halfway; half (of); one half; half (e.g. done, jokingly); partly
needlework; sewing; seamstress
regrettable; disappointing; precious; dear; too good for; deserving better
expectation; anticipation; prediction; forecast; conjecture
near; close by; within reach; familiar
influential; prominent; strong; likely; plausible
unexpected; contrary to expectations; unforeseen
cold-bloodedness; coldheartedness
taking heart; being in high spirits
cannot help (feeling); cannot hold back (tears, laughter, etc.)
guess; conjecture; surmise
to be bony; to be angular
to go in the direction of; to proceed toward; to become; to face (facts, circumstances, etc.); (arch.) to abide by; (arch.) to agree to
loose (of clothing); baggy; flabby; saggy; sloshing; slopping
hollow at nape of the neck; (arch.) toddler's shaved hairstyle leaving a small portion at the nape (esp. Edo period)
to become thin; to lose weight; to reduce (one's) weight; to be barren; to be infertile; to be sterile
fluff; fuzz; nap; hachures; hatching
in the background; not standing out
ward office; council (regional)
clerk; secretary; writing down; putting on record
unemployment; losing one's job; becoming unemployed
railway crossing; railroad crossing; starting line; scratch; determination; stepping over the edge of the ring
flagwaving; flagman; (in athletic competition) starter; instigator; leader
genius; prodigy; talented person
shrewdness; sharpness; astuteness; acumen; tact
to be peevish; to sulk; to pout
detestable; abhorrent; loathsome
humanity; empathy; kindness; human nature; common sense; customs and manners
requital of a favour (favor); repayment (of an obligation, kindness, etc.)
otherwise; or else; if not
not feeling like doing ...; having no mind to ...; being in no mood for ...; having no intention of ...
criminal; lawbreaker; wrongdoer; offender
miserable; pitiable; shameful; deplorable; pathetic
thoughtful; deep-thinking