the other day; a few days ago
whole family; entire family; all over the house; throughout the house; retainer of a daimyo; feudal domain
fat; tallow; lard; grease
to be dark; to be dull; to be unassuming; to be inconspicuous; to not stand out
old clothes; secondhand clothing
Qing dynasty (China, 1644-1912); Ch'ing dynasty; Manchu dynasty
spare time; free time; leisure time
to cure; to heal; to fix; to correct; to do over again; to replace
to enclose; to surround; to shelter (e.g. a criminal); to shield; to keep (e.g. a mistress); to store (vegetables, fruit, etc.)
cleaning; sweeping; dusting; scrubbing
residence; estate; grounds; premises; mansion
maintenance; preservation; improvement
distinctive of; characteristic of; uniquely applying to; but; except; without
indicates concession or compromise; indicates permission
husband; master (of a house, shop, etc.)
virtuous mind; good intentions; good will; positive mindset; bona fides; good faith
nice-looking; seemingly fine; nice-sounding; polite-sounding; plausible (e.g. excuse); glib
kotatsu; table over an electric heater (orig. a charcoal brazier in a floor well) with a hanging quilt that retains heat
characteristic (of); peculiar (to)
to be pleased with; to suit
another person; other people; unrelated person (i.e. not related by blood); outsider; stranger
talkative; loose-lipped; persiflage; frivolous talk
to strike; to clap; to play drums; to abuse; to bash; to consult; to sound out
origin; beginning; source; rise
to be lured; to be tempted; to go along with somebody's suggestion; to be talked into doing
uncomfortable; ill at ease; not feel at home
can be; can exist; can stay; cannot help but ...
and then; in addition to that; also; even so
to relax; to make oneself comfortable
to give (someone) a treat; to be extravagant; to live luxuriously; to be proud; to be haughty
to be in the news; to be talked about; to become a popular topic of conversation; to become the talk of the town; to become topical
homecoming; returning home
maid; helper; help; assistance
freely; at liberty; at will; as one likes
to go out; to go around; to walk about; to roam
to stay at (e.g. hotel); to be docked; to be berthed; to be moored
severe; strict; tough; hard
supposing; even if; granting that; temporarily; provisionally; for the time being
to greet; to call out (to); to invite; to get in touch (with); to cheer (on); to give vocal support (to)