may; might; perhaps; may be; possibly
flathead (esp. the bartailed flathead, Platycephalus indicus)
indication; sign; hint; tone (of the market)
Sakamoto Ryōma (1836-1867; samurai and politician)
in succession; one by one
mochi; small rice cake made from glutinous rice
to have one's attention caught (by); to be distracted (by); to be preoccupied (with); to be captivated (by); to be absorbed (in)
taking refuge; finding shelter; evacuation; escape; seeking safe haven
to be separated; to be apart; to leave; to go away; to leave (a job, etc.); to quit
to try to do; to attempt to do
eye for people; ability to judge character
genuine; authentic; true; real
teacher (to whom one owes a debt of gratitude); mentor; one's former teacher
no need to finish what you're saying; say no more; I can guess the rest already
the other day; lately; recently; meanwhile; in the meantime
being settled quickly; reaching a quick conclusion; no need to say any more; no problem
(those) who are; (that) which is; in the capacity of
dull; uninteresting; insignificant; unimportant; absurd; foolish
if that's the case ...; if so ...; that being the case ...
Satchō Alliance; 1866 alliance between the feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū
to form; to make; to build up (e.g. a fortune); to create; to accomplish; to achieve; to change (into)
like cats and dogs; (on) very bad terms; (lit.) relationship of dogs and monkeys
Satsuma (former province located in the west of present-day Kagoshima Prefecture); sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas)
han (estate of a daimyo in the Edo and early Meiji periods); feudal domain; fief; province
Chōshū; (former) Nagato Province
to join hands together; to join forces; to collaborate
chance; start; opportunity; cause; reason; excuse
modern times; the modern age; this day and age
(not) anything; (nothing) at all; (not) any
indecisive; irresolute; shilly-shally; vacillating
thump-thump; bang-bang; pit-a-pat; to beat fast (of one's heart); to throb; to pound
to be effective; to take effect; to work; to function well; to be possible (to do, use, etc.); to be able to
thanks; gratitude; manners; etiquette; bow (i.e. bending of the body); bowing; reward
theory; reason; logic; (unreasonable) argument; strained logic; excuse
to act up (machine); to go out of tune (instrument); to not work right; to be knocked off stride; to lose one's bearings; to lose one's presence of mind
purpose for which money is spent; the way money is spent; how goods are used
formation; establishment; conclusion (e.g. of a deal); reaching (e.g. an agreement); being valid (of a theory, argument, etc.); holding
here and there; in places