gorgeous; brilliant; dazzling; ornate; gaudy; flowery
supreme command; direction over all
reform; reformation; reorganization
duty; obligation; responsibility
to forfeit; to confiscate; to call out; to summon
to punish; to penalize; to penalise
direct control; direct supervision
reinforcement; augmentation; strengthening; increase; buildup
increasing the number of staff; hiring more people
circulation; rotation; cycle; loop
very small fraction (of); very small proportion; very small part; tiny bit
immorality; injustice; adultery; illicit relationship; murdering one's teacher or a government official (one of the eight unpardonable crimes)
organization; organisation; forming
(Chinese) merchant caravan
return; reversion; comeback; carriage return
(one's) younger brother; foolish younger brother
good-for-nothing; spineless; gutless; spiritless; feckless; pluckless
to bring up a subject; to touch on a matter
obi (kimono sash); obi (strip of paper looped around a book, CD, etc. containing information about the product); band; belt; cingulum; radio or television program broadcast in the same time slot on all or most days
the teens (10-19); teenage; the tenth generation
sound of thin metal or plastic surface caving in and springing back; action of quickly bowing or lowering one's head; with a bob of the head
traditional performing arts (e.g. shamisen, koto, dance, etc.); accomplishments
on the board (shogi, go, etc.)
play; playing; game; play and dance (at a kindergarten or elementary school)
teaching the basics; initiation; introduction
grave; sad; mournful; sorrowful; pensive
meeting; assembly; gathering; congregation; convention; rally
it is not possible (to, that); there is no such thing as
antiquity; the previous era
just like; (virtually) no different from; (almost) the same as; as good as (e.g. dead, settled)
to oppress; to persecute; to tyrannize
(one's) older brother; young man; sonny; lad
to be overcome with emotion
in a little while; in a bit
being readily aware of rumors and gossip; being quick to learn secrets; having sharp ears; ability to remember everything one hears
briskly; smartly; promptly; clearly; lucidly
to sense; to suspect; to get an inkling (of something); to get wind of; to smell (e.g. danger); to become aware of (e.g. a plot)
private talk; confidential talk; secret talk