build; physique; frame; constitution
to take in one's hand; to pick up; to obtain
mourning; abstinence; taboo; religious purification; pure; holy
to be outdone (by); to be in inferior (to); to compare unfavorably (with); to be behind
to have a cramp; to twitch; to stiffen (of a face, expression); to freeze; to shrink (of skin, due to a scar); to tauten
family; relatives; dependents; household
the House of Tokugawa; the Tokugawas
instruction in martial arts
role; assignment; position (of responsibility); post; part (in a play, film, etc.); role
unique thing; best on earth
distinguished family; good family; great master; expert; Meika; kuge family class ranking above Hanke and below Urinke
speaking of ...; when it comes to ...; as for ...; if one were to say ...
Edo (shogunate capital; former name of Tokyo); Yedo
Owari (former province located in the west of present-day Aichi Prefecture)
branch family; cadet family; establishing a branch family
birth; birthplace; born in (country, month, imperial era, zodiac year, etc.)
to complain about one's hard lot
leisurely; slow; deliberate; easygoing
to be surprised; to be taken aback; to be amazed; to be frightened; to be startled; to be alarmed
spare time; free time; time (it takes to do something); time required; time off; leave; dismissal
closing in on (the enemy, first place, etc.); coming close to; pressing hard; pressing hard (e.g. with a question); taking to task; grilling
famous; noted; renowned; celebrated; well-known
sword; blade; single stroke
to swing downward; to bring down (one's sword, fist, etc.)
dealing fully (with); going into (issue, etc.); stepping into; alcove
common; ordinary; fair (e.g. fight); gracious; frank; open
to respond; to answer; to accept (an invitation, offer, etc.); to comply with (a request, etc.); to suit; to match
to reverberate; to resound; to echo; to have one's fame spread; to be renowned
locking swords and pushing against each other; close contest; neck-and-neck game; fierce competition
to ward off (e.g. an attack); to fend off (e.g. a question); to elude; to evade; to dodge; to turn aside (e.g. a joke)
accession to the throne; enthronement
dated; date; date of effect (e.g. a rule change); fixed; external
to try; to attempt; to have a go (at)
in the same way; like; likewise; similarly
to start; to begin; to challenge; to pick (a fight); to set (traps); to plant (explosives)
flabby; limp; soft and pliable
to twine; to get tangled; to be involved (e.g. of money in a matter); to get involved (in); to pick a quarrel (with); to find fault (with)
fellow; mutual; companion; comrade
to decide; to determine; to resolve; to break and overflow (e.g. levee); to collapse; to give way
equal (in ability); even; evenly matched; well-matched; on par (with)
endless; boundless; innumerable; endless; never-ending; going on forever