one portion; one serving; adult; grown-up; fully fledged; established
apprenticeship; probation; learning by observation; apprentice; trainee; probationer
to rub; to crumple; to massage; to argue; to have a heated discussion; to train; to coach
conversation (just) between you and me; confidential talk
the other day; lately; recently; during this period
senior; veteran; old-timer
criticism; critique; review; commentary
in some way or other; one way or another; somehow; only just; barely
essential; important; crucial; vital; main
-ical; -ive; -like; -ish; (something) like; along the lines of
taste (in fashion, music, etc.); sense (e.g. of humour); flair
to chip; to be chipped; to be missing (from a set, team, etc.); to be absent; to be lacking (in); to be short (of)
bitter (e.g. criticism); sharp; biting; severe; scathing; harsh
marguerite (Chrysanthemum frutescens); Japanese women's hairstyle comprised of a long braid tied up in a loop with a ribbon (ca. 1885)
Buddhist temple; religious building; church; cathedral
polished rice; (uncooked) white rice
to scatter; to sprinkle; to distribute (flyers, etc.); to give out; to shake off (a pursuer, companion, etc.); to give the slip
marriage ceremony; wedding; nuptials
to be decided; to be settled; to be unchanging; to be the same (as always); to be a fixed rule; to be destined; to be well executed (of a manoeuvre in a sport, game, etc.)
postbox; mailbox; post; position; post (e.g. goalpost); post (on a blog, social media, etc.)
newsprint; newspaper used for wrapping, packing, etc.; newspaper
to run up to; to rush over
to whisper; to murmur; to rumor; to rumour
government office; public office
to leave word; to leave a message
what; what sort of thing; everything; anything; what (on earth)?; what's the meaning of this ...?
meditation; contemplation
to call (someone) back; to recall; to call home; to bring back (memories, etc.); to recall; to revive
crackling; cracking; clapping; incessantly (blinking)
telephone call; phone call; telephone (device); phone
anxiety; uneasiness; worry; apprehension; fear; insecurity
to stir up; to poke (the fire); to beat (an egg); to arouse (interest, feelings, etc.); to stir; to stoke
expression; look; countenance; face
halving; dividing (into two parts); bisection; the two equinoxes (vernal and autumnal)
before ... days (months, etc.)
abnormal; unusual; extraordinary; remarkable; uncommon
gait; walk; stride; trace (e.g. of route taken by hunted criminal); track; trail
floor; stage (for the narrator and the shamisen player); dining platform built across a river
to step on; to tread on; to set foot on (e.g. foreign soil); to stand on; to experience; to undergo; to follow (rules, principles, etc.)
wondrous; marvellous; uncanny; like a charm