maple (Acer spp.); maple tree
kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa); Japanese flowering dogwood
gradually (progressing); steadily; slowly; seeping out (sweat, tears, etc.)
leaf apex; tip of the leaf
poem by the emperor or a member of the imperial family; poem; song
close (e.g. in terms of relationship); intimate
flicker (light); waver; trickle (water); glance at
indeed; really; truly; very much
directions; instructions; orders; command
(with a) whizz; hiss; zip; easily; with ease
value in doing something; feeling that something is worth doing; rewarding feeling; sense of satisfaction
long-lasting; long-wearing; wears well; nagamochi; large oblong chest (for clothing, personal effects, etc.)
evening meal; supper; dinner
to change (to); to switch (to); to be replaced (by)
novel; story; (work of) fiction
fictitious; imaginary; fanciful; aerial; overhead
to unfold; to unroll; to open
children's story; fairy tale
meaning; tenor; effect; influence; appearance; aspect
in short; in a word; to sum up; to put it simply; to make a long story short; after all
intended for ...; oriented towards ...; aimed at ...
escape from reality; escapism; ostrichism
to pass through; to pass by; to pass (of time); to elapse; to have expired; to have ended; to exceed
childish; childlike; immature; infantile
taste; liking; preference
in general; generally; mostly; gist; point; main idea
general; popular; common; typical
sincere; earnest; serious
pursuit (of a goal, ideal, etc.); search; chase; seeking after
what is called; what you call; what they call; so-called
I don't know about ... but; it may be possible for ... but
mature age; advanced age; maturity; age when one is old enough to know better
working adult; full-fledged member of society
science fiction; sci-fi; SF
mystery novel; detective novel; whodunit
technical; specialist; professional; exclusive
highbrow; high-toned; transcendent; transcendental
hobby; pastime; tastes; preference; liking
desire; want; will; wish; urge; craving
no more than; just; only; mere; goes no further than
to indulge in; to give oneself up to; to be obsessed by; to be engrossed in; to be lost in; to be absorbed in
as was expected; just as one thought; sure enough; really; actually; ever
pyramid; monumental work; landmark achievement