inverted; upside down; reversed; back to front
major change; major transformation
licensed; chartered; officially allowed; legitimate
empty threat; bluff; paper tiger
unification of the whole country
peerless; unequaled; unequalled
main performer; star performer; headliner; rakugo storyteller of the highest rank
to be of help; to be useful; to go toward
passenger; rider; good rider
show; exhibition; spectacle
opening performance; opening act; curtain raiser; minor performer; minor storyteller; subordinate part
continuing from beginning to end; continuous run; appetizer; starter; performance of an entire play
as likely as not; 50-50; even match; tie
to commit seppuku; to commit harakiri; to take responsibility (and resign); (arch.) to laugh until one splits one's side
flawless; absolute perfection
white stone; white (go pieces)
interest; appeal; attraction; fun
so what!; who gives a damn?
substantial matter; significant item
secret (recipe, medicine, etc.); mysteries (e.g. of an art)
to have gooseflesh (e.g. from cold or horror)
three flat objects (sheets of paper, pieces of cloth, etc.)
the real pleasure (of something); the real thrill; flavour of ghee; (fig.) delicious taste; Buddha's gracious teachings
dull; uninteresting; insignificant; unimportant; absurd; foolish
an issue being settled; a case being closed
master and servant; lord and retainer; employer and employee
to awaken; to arouse from sleep; to bring to one's senses; to disabuse (someone of); to sober up
the three character styles: square and semicursive and grass
lack of ability; inadequacy; (being) out of one's depth
madness; insanity; irregularity; deviation; fanaticism; fanatic
when push comes to shove; when needed; when necessity arises; when the moment arrives