subjectivity; subject (philosophical); ego; one's personal opinion; one's own idea
secret; clandestine; covert; spy (for a daimyo, shogun, etc.); secret agent
to go on a fool's errand; to go in vain
going on ahead; forestalling; anticipating; arrival before another
base (of a plant, tree, pillar, etc.); (part near the) root; roots (of one's hair); root (e.g. of a problem); source
equality; impartiality; evenness
unfortunately; unluckily; regrettably
character (in a play or novel); dramatis personae
background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
absolute; complete; utter; pure; sheer
senior; elder; person older than oneself
superior; excellent; brilliant; outstanding
to flutter (in the wind); to wave; to turn over; to flip over; to suddenly change (attitude, opinion, etc.); to suddenly switch
high praise; great admiration; rave reviews
spring and autumn; spring and fall; years; age; The Spring and Autumn Annals; The Chronicles of Lu
discord; (on) bad terms (with)
rivalry (between two equally strong sides); struggle for supremacy; competing (with); vying (with); contending (with); being an equal match (for)
being caught in one's own trap; being hoisted by one's own petard
rope; cord; policeman's rope
tying up; restraint; restriction; arrest
conflict; complication; troubles; discord
to outwit; to outmanoeuvre; to steal a march on; to get the jump on; to anticipate; to forestall
most suitable; optimum; optimal; best
solution (of an equation, inequality, etc.); root (e.g. of a polynomial); solution (to a given problem); answer; explanation; interpretation
to guide; to lead; to show the way; to derive; to deduce
private; exclusive; secret
darkness; the dark; bewilderment; despair; hidden place; secrecy
to penetrate; to sink in; to devote oneself (to); to do intently and exclusively; to do throughout (e.g. the night)
if I'm forced to say something; if anything; if I must say; if I must choose
to impose (a tax, fine, etc.); to levy; to assign (a task, duty, etc.); to give; to set
one o'clock; once; at one time; for a time; for a while; a time
early ripening rice; early-ripening fruit (grain, etc.); person who becomes physically or mentally mature at an early age
barrier; protective wall; obstacle; hindrance; imaginary shield that gives one invincibility or immunity
whole story; full picture; full particulars
distant future; inevitable future; places one goes to
(right at the) side; just beside
all of a sudden; unexpected; abrupt; sudden
knowing how to swim with the tide; being good at dealing with things
proficiency; mastery; becoming proficient (in)
to become better; to improve