housewives' choral group; mothers' chorus group
miso-based sauce; miso sauce
old man; venerable gentleman; venerable; old; father
konnyaku cut into fine threads; konjac noodles
ganmodoki; fried tofu fritter made with vegetables
to make one's way in the world; to earn one's living; to live
I'm sorry to have kept you waiting
fish balls; fish dumplings
pounded fish cake; half a slice; half a ticket; ticket stub
to choose (a thing) at one's own discretion; to use one's discretion in choosing
knock on wood; touch wood; heaven forbid; God help me; absit omen!
standoffishly; primly; pungently (of a smell); acridly; long and pointed (e.g. of a nose); popping (of ears)
wandering samurai; soldier of fortune; brigand; mountain-dwelling robber
(compulsory) retirement (e.g. on reaching the age of 65); mandatory retirement; reaching retirement age
to pierce; to penetrate; to be infected (with vice); to be steeped (with prejudice); to feel keenly; to make a deep impression
pilchard (esp. Japanese pilchard, Sardinops melanostictus); sardine
chikuwa; tube-shaped fish paste cake
my; one's own; I ...; one ...
interest; appeal; attraction; fun
konnyaku (Amorphophallus konjac); konjac; devil's tongue; konnyaku jelly; konjac jelly; devil's tongue jelly
Toyama (city, prefecture)
to rise; to go up; to enter (esp. from outdoors); to come in; to enter (a school); to advance to the next grade; to get out (of water)
haze (esp. in spring); mist; dimness (of sight)
to be renewed; to change; to be improved; to be reformed; to stand on ceremony; to be formal
(arch.) lowly person; (arch.) lowliness; I
proprietress (of a traditional Japanese inn or restaurant); landlady; hostess; mistress
playfulness; playful mood; imaginativeness
stole; scarf; stall (of an engine or aircraft); stall (cattle)
each time; always; often; thank you for your continued patronage
drawstring purse; money pouch; pouch of fried tofu stuffed with var. ingredients, used in oden; (arch.) unlicensed prostitute (Edo period)
just kidding; not!; ersatz; imitation; phony
fish market; fish dealer; fishmonger
retirement age; (arch.) years of service in a military rank before eligibility for promotion
casting; cast-metal object