to exert oneself greatly; to take pains
unthinkable; unimaginable; terrible; awful; (arch.) very
old tale; folk tale; legend; reminiscence
holiday; day off; furlough; absence (from work)
reality; actuality; hard fact
the way of the world; the lay of the land; the inescapable circumstances (of life)
discouragement; despondency; dejection; disappointment
one's place of appointment; one's post
perhaps; likely; probably; I dare say
counter for scraps, fragments, petals, etc.
to be put in order; to be put to rights; to be disposed of; to be solved; to be finished; to be married (off)
divorce; unrealized marriage (prospects); unrealised marriage
gold dust; silver dust; sand; grit
miniature shrine with double doors (used to store important Buddhist items such as sutras, etc.); cabinet with double doors (used by the nobility to store books, etc.); (in Okinawa) carved and decorated stone container for storing the bones of one's ancestors
to make a lovely picture; to be perfect for a picture; picture-perfect; picturesque
stage; step; level; rank; order; stairs
(not) in the slightest; (not) at all
apt to (do); liable to; predominantly; mostly; ... reaps the rewards; ... takes the prize
dark blue cloth with white splash patterns
tight sleeve (of a kimono or dress)
matchmaking; acting as a go-between
so-so; passable; now, now; my, my
lunch; noon; midday; daytime; waking up; getting up
correction; rectification; mending; repair
unconsciously; unwittingly; unawares
fellow; mutual; companion; comrade
to behave; to conduct oneself; to entertain; to treat someone (to a drink); to make tea for someone (tea ceremony)
to die down (storm, anger, conflict, etc.); to calm down; to be at peace; to be governed well; to subside (of pain, symptoms, etc.); to be alleviated
it cannot be that...; it is highly unlikely that...; it is impossible that...