ukiyo-e; ukiyoe; Edo-period woodblock print
from the beginning; from the first; all along; of course
suggestiveness (of a poem); lingering charm; lasting impression
technically accomplished; technical; polished
to be shut; to close; to be firm (of a body, face, etc.); to be well-knit; to be locked; to tighten
before the gate; in front of the gate
absence; disregard; indifference
to push; to press; to apply pressure from above; to press down; to stamp (i.e. a passport); to apply a seal; to affix (e.g. gold leaf)
agency; commission; reception (of guests); conveyance (of messages)
the country; countryside; outskirts; suburbs; presence; being in attendance
that kind; competition; match
ninth day of the month; nine days
you; buddy; monarch; ruler; he; she
misfortune; ill fate; bad luck; obscurity
the whole mountain; all the mountains
to shut; to close; to block (a street, entrance, etc.); to shut in (with snow, ice, etc.); to shut off; to consume (with negative feelings)
go that far; to that extent
to lift up; to hold up; to give; to offer; to devote; to sacrifice
theme of the Imperial Poetry Contest
old poem (esp. waka); old song
presentation of poem (to court)
natural features; scenery; a premium; gift
mid-air; mid-heaven; zenith
head; chief; leader; the greatest of all; the most excellent
to stop up; to close up; to stand in the way; to obstruct; to occupy; to fill up
tuft (of hair, threads, etc.); fringe; bunch (of grapes, bananas, etc.); cluster (of flowers); segment (of a tangerine, etc.); section
request; favor; favour; reliance; dependence; trust
lonesome; lonely; forlorn
to be put in order; to be put to rights; to be disposed of; to be solved; to be finished; to be married (off)
in fact; as a matter of fact; actually; in reality; to tell the truth
swiftly; rapidly; suddenly; abruptly; sharply (of a slope, bend, etc.); steeply
difficulty; trouble; accident; disaster; fault; defect
steaminess; sultriness; stuffiness