sudden; abrupt; unexpected
to disappear; to vanish; to go out (of a fire, light, etc.); to die; to fade (of a feeling, impression, etc.); to vanish (e.g. of hope); to go away (e.g. of a smell, itchiness, sleepiness)
field of vision; visibility; view; visual field; (one's) ken
scene; spectacle; sight; view
to look at; to gaze at; to look out over; to get a view of; to look on (from the sidelines); to stand by and watch
plan; meter; measuring device; (in) total; total (of)
counter for people (usu. seating, reservations and such); first name; famous; great; name; noun
all members; all hands; everyone; everybody; whole crew
to collect; to assemble; to gather
expressly; especially; specially; intentionally; deliberately; on purpose
floor; stage (for the narrator and the shamisen player); dining platform built across a river
even though; despite; when
a little; a bit; just a minute; for a moment; somewhat; rather; (not) easily
gap; opening; break; interval; unguarded moment; carelessness
lie; fib; mistake; error; unwise move; bad decision
older brother; elder brother; brother-in-law (spouse's older brother or older sister's husband)
a short while ago; a moment ago; just now; some time ago
way; manner; (for) the first time in (e.g. ten years); after ...; ...-sized; amount (equivalent to ...)
to hang up (e.g. a coat, a picture on the wall); to let hang; to put on (e.g. a blanket); to put on top of; to put on (glasses, etc.); to wear (a necklace, etc.); to make (a call)
fact; truth; reality; in fact; actually
shudder; shiver; trembling with fear
sorcery; black magic; netherworld; world outside the six realms where evil spirits roam
doll; puppet; marionette; puppet (person under the control of another); straw man; yes-man
-like; sort of; similar to; resembling
movement; move; motion; trend; development; change
creakily; with a grating sound; packed full; crammed; with no room to spare
to creak; to squeak; to grate; to grind; to rasp
neck; head; dismissal (from a job); firing
to move; to shift; to inspire; to rouse; to change; to alter; to operate
direction; orientation; bearing; course (e.g. of action)
to turn (towards); to face; to head to; to go towards; to allot; to allocate
what; how many; many; a lot of; several; a few
where ... is concerned; when it becomes; if it becomes
in; at; on; as for; regarding; with regards to
brush tip; first on a list; head; chief
ceiling; ceiling (e.g. of share price); ceiling price
to grow; to spring up; to sprout; to cut (teeth)
putting on a brave face; put-on cheeriness; pretending one is fine; show of courage; bravado; Dutch courage
to save; to rescue; to help; to assist; to support (financially); to contribute (to)
schoolgirl; female student
radiant smile; contented smile
as if; as though; (not) at all; (not) in the slightest; really; completely
cheerful; lively; lighthearted
unfortunately; sorry, but ...
irritation; annoyance; frustration