optional; voluntary; arbitrary; arbitrary
posing a question; question
form of verse; verse form; poetic form
at the same time; concurrently; simultaneously; coinciding (with)
state ceremony; laborious; troublesome; irksome
to abolish; to abandon; to repeal; to dethrone; to depose
dozens; scores of; decades
to be tied together; to be connected to; to lead to; to be related to; to be related (by blood)
to take a turn for the worse (of an illness); to take a serious turn
to estrange (two friends); to come between (two people); to drive a wedge
approval; license; licence; permission
memorization; memorisation; learning by heart
to join a household (as a housewife or househusband); to become a housewife; to become a househusband
style of a poem; style of poetry
meeting; assembly; gathering; congregation; convention; rally
praise; admiration; commendation; approbation
good-natured; of good character
explanation in detail; full discussion
district governor (Ritsuryo period)
cultural facilities (art galleries, tea rooms, etc.)
to give oneself to (esp. of a woman to a man); to surrender oneself to
firmly rooted; deep-seated
narrow eyes; fine texture
recoil; hesitation; flinching; shrinking back
substitution (for someone else); substitute; stand-in; scapegoat; sacrifice
tone of voice; mimicry; imitative voice
to lecture; to give a lesson
to stop; to stay (e.g. the night); to contain; to keep (in position, in place); to record (e.g. a fact); to retain
season; the times; opportunity; occasion
direct talks; direct negotiations; talking to somebody in person