housewives' choral group; mothers' chorus group
old man; venerable gentleman; venerable; old; father
coffee shop that does not serve alcohol
dirt (road, path, etc.); dirt course; dirt track
to make one's way in the world; to earn one's living; to live
abundant (grain) crop; good harvest
(compulsory) retirement (e.g. on reaching the age of 65); mandatory retirement; reaching retirement age
intimidating enough to quieten a crying child
about when; about what time; how soon
voice training; vocal exercises
secondhand book; ancient book; antiquarian books
my; one's own; I ...; one ...
ditch; drain; gutter; trench
haze (esp. in spring); mist; dimness (of sight)
(arch.) lowly person; (arch.) lowliness; I
party (of people); set (of people); clan; family; fellow
to stand on tiptoe; to rise in the world; to become arrogant
appearance; shape; form; atmosphere; look; feel
secondhand bookshop; secondhand bookstore; secondhand bookseller
totally (immersed in something, e.g. liquid, work); addicted
clearing one's throat; cough
person of doubtful origin
Warring States period (of Japanese history, approx. 1467-1568 CE); Sengoku period; Warring States period (of Chinese history, 403-221 BCE); era of vicious competition
classical music; classic; classical; classic (work); the classics
to perceive; to grasp (the situation)
to age; to grow old (esp. in appearance); to show marks of age
commonplace (of people or animals); ordinary; typical; ubiquitous; run-of-the-mill; found around every corner
height; stature; length (esp. of clothing); all (one has); everything; magnificence (of a waka poem, etc.)
large hole; big deficit; heavy losses; long-shot win (in horse racing, etc.); big winnings (on a long shot)
these days; nowadays; present day; at this time (of the day)
backing; support; backer; shield that protects one's back
goddamn idiot; moron; nitwit