the Rat (first sign of the Chinese zodiac); hour of the Rat (around midnight, 11pm to 1am, or 12 midnight to 2am); north; eleventh month of the lunar calendar
the Tiger (third sign of the Chinese zodiac); hour of the Tiger (around 4am, 3-5am, or 4-6am); east-northeast; first month of the lunar calendar
the Rabbit (fourth sign of the Chinese zodiac); the Hare; hour of the Rabbit (around 6am, 5-7am, or 6-8am); east; second month in the lunar calendar
the Dragon (fifth sign of the Chinese zodiac); hour of the Dragon (around 8am, 7-9am, or 8-10am); east-southeast; third month of the lunar calendar
the Snake (sixth sign of the Chinese zodiac); the Serpent; hour of the Snake (around 10am, 9-11am, or 10am-12 noon); south-southeast; fourth month of the lunar calendar
the Horse (seventh sign of the Chinese zodiac); hour of the Horse (around noon, 11am-1pm, or 12 noon-2pm); south; fifth month of the lunar calendar
the Sheep (eighth sign of the Chinese zodiac); the Ram; hour of the Sheep (around 2pm, 1-3pm, or 2-4pm); south-southwest; sixth month of the lunar calendar
the Monkey (ninth sign of the Chinese zodiac); hour of the Monkey (around 4pm, 3-5pm, or 4-6pm); west-southwest; 7th month of the lunar calendar
the Rooster (tenth sign of the Chinese zodiac); the Cock; hour of the Rooster (around 6pm, 5-7pm, or 6-8pm); west; eight month of the lunar calendar
the Dog (eleventh sign of the Chinese zodiac); hour of the Dog (around 8pm, 7-9pm, or 8-10pm); west-northwest; ninth month of the lunar calendar
the Boar (twelfth sign of the Chinese zodiac); the Pig; hour of the Boar (around 10pm, 9-11pm, or 10pm to 12 midnight); north-northwest; tenth month of the lunar calendar
high-grade Japanese fresh confections (usu. colorful sculpted mochi in seasonal designs around bean paste)
to try to (do); to want to; to be about to (do, happen)
one-by-one; separately; in detail
New Year (esp. first three days); first month of the year; January
manjū; steamed yeast bun with filling
sexagenary cycle; 60-term cycle of 12 zodiac animals combined with 5 elements in the traditional Chinese calendar; currently used in Japan for years, historically also for days; 12-year Chinese zodiac
chattering; talk; idle talk; chatty; talkative; chatterbox
desperation; despair; self-abandonment
day after day; day by day
to push up; to thrust up; to put pressure on (one's superiors); to pressure; to well up (of an emotion); to surge up
inexperienced (in life experience); unsophisticated; inexperienced (in love); innocent; birth-
(young) girl; maiden; young lady
accident; incident; trouble; circumstances; reasons
management (of a house, store, etc.); administration; cutting up and serving food; cut and fill (e.g. earthwork)
rich person; wealthy person
all over the body; from head to foot; all over
(lit.) blood flows; to have the blood of ... running in one's veins (artist, warrior, etc.); to be born with particular skills, characteristics, etc.; to have something "in one's blood"
outrageous; wild (ambition, idea, etc.); crazy; inordinate; extravagant (e.g. claims); audacious
to rule over; to govern; to command; to integrate; to consolidate; to unite
noble; high and noble; noble (character); refined; precious; expensive
illegitimate child (usu. of a nobleman)
forty-ninth day after a person's death
to leave (someone) alone; to leave to oneself; to leave (someone) be
to correct oneself; to restate
although at this late hour; now, although it is too late; afresh; anew; again
to tear; to rip; to break through (cordon, opponent's defense, etc.); to breach; to defeat; to beat; to break (e.g. silence)
naked; bare; uncovered; frank; open; blunt
to go mad; to lose one's mind; to get out of order; to go amiss; to go wrong (of a plan or expectation, etc.); to fall through
gear; cogwheel; cog (in an organization, company, etc.); cog in the machine
to get late; to advance; to wear on
to write down; to make a note of; to put on record; to chronicle
book; booklet; story book; pamphlet; notebook