increasingly; more and more; decreasingly (when declining); less and less
reason; grounds; pretext; excuse; motive
riddle; puzzle; enigma; enigmatic; mysterious
the nth ...; divisions of a kabuki performance
until now; till now; up to now; up to the present; so far
to compare; to make a comparison (between); to compete (on); to measure (one's strength, ability, etc. against another's)
to have a lot on one's shoulders; to bear a lot of responsibility
to worry about; to be worried about; to fret about; to not know what to do; to be at a loss (as to what to do)
to fall ill; to become indisposed; to have one's physical condition deteriorate
finally; at last; barely; narrowly; gradually; little by little
about this time; about now
substitute; replacement; stand-in; proxy; compensation; exchange
to decide; to choose; to clinch (a victory); to decide (the outcome of a match); to persist in doing; to go through with; to always do
probably; likely; perhaps; a lot of; much; many
ladies' pavilion (of Heian Palace)
pavilion used as the emperor's habitual residence (in Heian Palace)
thereabouts; vicinity; that area; that situation; those circumstances
entrails; giblets; tripe; offal
real; realistic; serious; non-joking; realtime blog; real world (cf. online games or social networking services)
dream; dream; hope; unrealistic aspiration; daydream; delusion
to be possible; to be conceivable; to be likely; to be probable
talk; speech; topic; subject; discussions; negotiation; rumor
probability; likelihood; chances
to get; to earn; to understand; to comprehend; to receive something undesirable (e.g. a punishment); to get (ill)
together; jointly; at the same time; with; both
to serve as; to act as; to fill (the position of); to play the role of; to be in charge of; to hold (a position)
god who spreads infectious diseases; god of pestilence
evil; wickedness; (role of) the villain (in theatre, etc.); the bad guy
in an instant; in a moment; immediately; suddenly; all of a sudden; all at once
to brave; to risk; to harm; to afflict; to desecrate; to profane
to possess (someone; of an evil spirit, idea, etc.); to take hold of; to haunt
ominous; sinister; (arch.) annoying; (arch.) appearing to be true; (arch.) plausible
common; ordinary; fair (e.g. fight); gracious; frank; open
to be (in contrast to something that is not the case)
very; greatly; much; just about to; almost; very nearly
soldier; warrior; person of courage; strong person; very capable person
to be fit (for a role); to be qualified (for); to be equal (to a task); to be able to fulfill one's duties (as)
it seems; I think; I guess; right?; don't you agree?
explanation; exposition; description; account; caption; legend
to continue; to keep up; to keep on; to continue ...; to keep on ...
captain; commander; commanding officer; leader