to go upstream; to go up (a river); to go back (to the past or origin); to date back (to); to trace back (to)
national language; Japanese language (esp. as a school subject in Japan); one's native language; mother tongue; native Japanese words (as opposed to loanwords and Chinese-derived words)
(for the) first time in one's life
novel; story; (work of) fiction
detective; investigator; sleuth; detective work; secret investigation
first person; self-reference term; term used to refer to oneself in the first person
to do everything in one's power; to do all one can; to leave nothing undone; to exhaust one's resources
hair color; hair colour; fur color; disposition; type; kind
with a boom; with a crash; with a rumble
to uncover; to solve; to reveal
to take the form (of); to assume a shape
subject; theme; homework; assignment; problem (that needs solving); task
presentation (of a passport, ID, etc.); showing; production (e.g. of documents); presentation (of a plan, response, etc.); bringing up; citing (an example)
to triumph; to be elated with success
chicken; chicken game; chicken race
foreshadowing; preparation; precautionary measures
comprehension; understanding; enlightenment; spiritual awakening; satori
net (amount); clear; net weight; net price; cost price; actual content
to dance (orig. a hopping dance); to be manipulated; to dance to someone's tune
predecessor; pioneer; ancestor
jewel; gem; gem (of a story, essay, etc.); accomplished work; beautiful piece
recommendation; advice; suggestion; encouragement
bookstore; bookshop; publisher; main building
shelf; ledge; rack; trellis
unnatural; artificial; false; forced (e.g. smile); empty (e.g. compliments)
likability; favorability; popularity
one roll; one book; one volume; first volume; rolling once; wrapping once around
to do (something negative); to make (a blunder); to commit (an error); to eat (up); to drink
cover (of a book, magazine, etc.); binding; to appear on the cover of a magazine
background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
to emit; to spout; to spurt; to boil over
exhilarated; all smiles; tickled pink; pleased as punch
seasoning; flavour; flavor
to finish up; to complete; to finish off; to get through; to polish off