first and foremost; above all; most importantly of all
betterment; improvement; kaizen (Japanese business philosophy of continuous improvement)
devising (a way); contriving; device; design; dedication to spiritual improvement (esp. through Zen meditation)
after all; in the end; conclusion; end; end of a game of go, shogi, etc.
empty; void; vain; fruitless; lifeless
to be honest; to be frank; honestly; if you want to know the truth
intricate; elaborate; complicated; complex
expression; presentation; representation; notation
that is to say; so that means
training; education; stocking up; laying in; preparation (e.g. ingredients); girl studying to become a geisha
where; what place; how much (long, far); what extent
to order; to send away for; to have (something) sent to one; to pull (something) closer
there; that situation; that occasion; the spot (i.e. "on the spot"); immediately; then and there
to add; to add up; to increase; to gather (e.g. speed); to include; to count in
arrangement (music, objects, etc.); organization; adaptation
cheap article; poor quality article
retort; sealed plastic pouch typically containing ready-made sauce or stew; boil-in-the-bag; retort; glass vessel used for distillation (now largely obs.)
aroma; fragrance; scent; smell
to fire (gun, arrow, questions, etc.); to shoot; to set free; to release; to emit (e.g. light); to give off (e.g. a scent)
kind; sort; type; similar example; parallel; the like
to obtain; to come into possession of; to get hold of; to get one's hands on
dramatic; exciting; touching; extreme
flavor; flavour; charm; appeal; experience; taste (e.g. of victory)
representative; representation; delegation; switchboard number; main number
good; excellent; fine; nice; pleasant; agreeable
one sheet; one page; one block of tofu; one serving (in a restaurant); one long and narrow thing (e.g. guns, scissors, spades, hoes, inksticks, palanquins, candles, jinrikishas, shamisen, oars, etc.); one chō (unit of distance, 109.09 m); one game
rise; increase; income; takings; completion; end; end result (e.g. of crafts)
to shift one's attention to; to shift one's focus on
wobbling; tottering; wavering (e.g. over a decision); dithering; boiling up; dizzily
to boil (something in hot water); to treat with medicinal steam (a swelling, etc.)
commonplace; ordinary; typical; ubiquitous; run-of-the-mill; mundane
raw; uncooked; natural; as it is; unprotected (sex); live (i.e. not recorded); inexperienced
to smell; to smell of; to have a smell