appetizer; later date; post-dating (e.g. a letter or cheque)
chairman of (party) policy bureau; policy chief
Satchō Alliance; 1866 alliance between the feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū
young persons' association
no problem; it doesn't matter
hand; arm; handwriting; penmanship; 'shake' (command to have a dog place its paw in your hand)
regular customer; valued client
depending on the ...; to depend on the ...
revised budget; supplementary budget
to chase; to run after; to pursue
to change the schedule; to change one's plans
Gion Festival (in Kyoto during the month of July, with high point on the 17th)
local news section; the city desk
apologies for the crude food
mimicry; imitation (of someone, something)
one's regular inn; one's usual hotel
right?; don't you think?; don't you agree?
to know (a person); to think
hanafuda; flower cards; playing cards consisting of 12 suits of 4 cards, each suit representing a month indicated by a flower
ghee (held to be the greatest of all flavours); (fig.) the ultimate truth of Buddhism; (fig.) nirvana
severe; intense; awe-inspiring; biting; bitter (cold); piercing
payment of debts; repayment
to be generally accepted; to be acknowledged by oneself and others
make-up; making food (in a delivery-only restaurant); cooking
cultural assets; cultural property
space development; space exploration
splendid horse; promoted bishop
fondly; admiringly; with fascination; with adoration; with enchantment
shallow river; shallows; flatboat; river boat
fine thread; hempen cord; slender; narrow; narrowness
kōji; malted rice; malt; malt-like material from growing mold on rice, barley, beans, etc. (used as a starter to make sake, miso, soy sauce, etc.)
stroke of the brush; touch; literary style