combat readiness; battle readiness; fighting trim
gradually; by degrees; little by little; step by step
to deem acceptable; to approve of; to value; to consider a good thing
to make way for; to make room for; to get out of the way; to pave the way for; to open up opportunity
useless object; deadwood; white elephant; boondoggle
to be lost (e.g. luggage); to be missing; to be used up; to be run out; to disappear (e.g. pain); to be lost (e.g. a dream, confidence)
fortress; castle; citadel; enclosure; castle walls
powerlessness; helplessness; incompetent
to change into; to convert into; to transform; to be reduced; to influence; to improve (someone)
cruel; merciless; atrocious; pitiful; tragic; horrible
outermost enclosure of a castle or fortress (including the town around it)
complete destruction; demolition
outermost region of the castle
somewhere to go; place to go
demolition; pulling down; destruction; dismantling
to give someone a surprise; to catch off guard and fluster; to frustrate (e.g. someone's plans); to give someone a blow; to scare the hell out of
to dig up; to turn up; to tear up; to rake up (e.g. old scandal); to dig over
portable shrine (carried in festivals); palanquin; buttocks; lower back
sentiment; emotions; one's feelings; one's heart
hard; solid; stiff; tight; strong; firm (not viscous or easily moved); safe
to blunder; to fail; to make a mistake
wakizashi; short sword worn by samurai
pupil; disciple; adherent; follower; apprentice; young person
body double; double; wire puller; person behind the scenes; shadow commander
slaughter (of animals for meat); butchery
to be struck with terror; to be terrified; to be scared to death
Okayama (city, prefecture)
persistence; fortitude; indomitability
readiness; preparedness; attitude; kanji "vapor" radical
to detain; to keep; to lock up; to retain; to leave (letter) till called for
hard (on the ears); offensive (to the ear); rasping; rough; harsh; grating
to becalm one's feelings; to compose oneself
no-holds-barred party; free and easy gathering
to be completely satisfied; to be completely contented