floor; stage (for the narrator and the shamisen player); dining platform built across a river
annihilation; extermination; (total) destruction; wiping out
(in) secrecy; behind closed doors
to keep in contact (e.g. by phone, mail, etc.); to keep in touch
sneakily; secretly; stealthily; on the sly
approximately; about; promise; appointment; shortening; reduction
surprise; astonishment; wonder; amazement
at that time; in those days; at that moment; then
to groan; to moan; to roar; to howl; to hum (engine, wind, etc.); to buzz; to ooh and aah (in admiration)
original; unique; distinctive; independent; one's own; personal
investigation; examination; inquiry; enquiry; survey
to endeavor (to do); to endeavour; to try hard; to work hard; to strive; to make an effort
collaborator; cooperator; coworker; ally
clear; obvious; evident; bright; light
war; fighting; fierce competition
to press a question; to cross-examine
foreigner; foreign citizen; foreign national; alien; non-Japanese
snake in one's bosom; treacherous friend
to gouge out; to cut out; to scoop out; to bring to light; to reveal
clever; smart; sharp (ear, etc.); sensitive; discerning
to have one's attention caught (by); to be distracted (by); to be preoccupied (with); to be captivated (by); to be absorbed (in)
to shut out; to bar; to lock out; to exclude
to take possession of (forcibly); to take over (a company, account, etc.); to capture (a castle, enemy position, etc.); to hijack (a plane, ship, etc.)
generally; on the whole; general; rough; outline; main points
outline; summary; argument
imagination; supposition; guess
gentle; quiet; demure; sober; mild-mannered; meek
ability to take action; ability to take initiatives; energy; dynamism; drive
effect; efficacy; validity; potency
to strain (oneself); to bear down; to exert oneself; to put on a bold front; to make a show of strength; to swagger
one (esp. of two); the other; on the one hand; on the other hand; whereas; although
to act (a part); to play (a role); to perform (a play, etc.); to put on (a production); to commit (e.g. a blunder); to disgrace oneself
many; much; plenty; hardly
to stop up; to close up; to stand in the way; to obstruct; to occupy; to fill up
trend; tendency; movement; attitude
uncertain; indefinite; vague; ambiguous; equivocal; dubious
kindness; favor; favour; goodwill; affection; liking (for someone)
seeming; pose; show; pretense; sham; mock