I've heard that ...; rumour has it that ...; it appears as if ...
protagonist; main character; hero(ine) (of a story); head of household
to pattern after; to liken to; to imitate
to drive away; to clear; to scatter; to disperse
originally; primarily; essentially; intrinsically; proper; rightful
style of recitative dance popular during the Muromachi period
record of war; war chronicle; commentaries of war; military history
to curse; to cast a spell; to haunt; to cause a bad result; to bring about a negative outcome
revengeful ghost; apparition
the same rank; equality; apposition
treatment; service; handling (of a machine, tool, etc.); operation; treating as; treating like
to tease; to make fun of; to ridicule; to mock; to play with (e.g. a toy); to fiddle with
to model on; to make in the shape of; to represent; to symbolise
to cross (legs or arms); to link (arms); to put together; to construct; to braid; to plait; to grapple
to study (in depth); to learn; to take lessons in
legitimate; orthodox; traditional
rather; better; instead; if anything
deep-seated grudge; hatred
to hold in one's arms (e.g. a baby); to embrace; to hug; to have (a thought or feeling); to hold; to harbour (suspicion, doubt, etc.)
to ask; to enquire; to inquire; to search; to look for; to look into
to chase; to run after; to follow (a set order, a trend, etc.); to drive out; to get rid of; to drive (e.g. a herd)
to learn; to acquire knowledge; to carry; to wear (clothes, etc.); to put on
maintaining a reasonable distance; neutral position; indecision
body; oneself; one's place; one's position; main part; meat (as opposed to bone, skin, etc.)
substitute; replacement; stand-in; proxy; compensation; exchange
racketeer; thug; rogue; bully; fixer
strife; riot; (media) uproar; brouhaha; feud; tussle
to do; to undertake; to send; to dispatch; to put; to move; to give (esp. to someone of equal or lower status)
hands and feet; limbs; person at one's beck and call; person at hand; reliable worker
that; the matter in question
not exceeding; and downward; below (e.g. standard); under (e.g. a level); the below-mentioned; the following
execution; death by execution
Meiji era (1868.9.8-1912.7.30)
selfless (pious, righteous) man
rascal; scoundrel; villain