to be able to speak; to be able to talk; to be understanding; to be sensible
local people; local residents
released prisoner; ex-convict; ex-con
jingle (i.e. in a television commercial)
unsuspended prison sentence; prison sentence with no stay of execution
to strain or exert oneself; to go all out
entering and leaving hospital
food cooked in miso; cooking in miso
Japanese apricot (Prunus mume); Japanese plum; ume; lowest (of a three-tier ranking system)
person who avoids others; social outcast
reformatory; juvenile training school; reform school; youth detention center (centre)
boarding; board; meals; catering; cook
Urashima Tarō; (a) Rip van Winkle; fairy-tale fisherman who, after visiting the underwater Palace of the Dragon King, returns centuries later
to begin a trip; to depart; to embark; to die; to pass away; to depart this life
to shut out; to bar; to lock out; to exclude
miscarriage; (spontaneous) abortion; abortive birth
transport; freight; shipping
present post; current office; (an) incumbent
sensitive; susceptible; emotional; impressionable; sentimental
postcard; memo; note; card
filial piety; showing devotion (to someone)
women's bath; women's section in a public bath
master; expert; mansion; large house; rich family; distinguished family
waitress (in a ryokan or traditional restaurant); hostess
familiarity with the land; locality or terrain (usually associated with knowing or feeling the locality)
proposal; offer; report; proposition; notice; request
to lose composure; to be upset; to be flurried; to lose one's head (through shock)