watch (timepiece); watching (a trend, developments, etc.); observing; (one's) watch (on a ship); watchkeeping; watch cap
on one occasion; once; at one point; at one time
from ancient times; from old times; from time immemorial
active; positive; progressive; anode
modern state; modern nation
science; to think about scientifically; to think in terms of science
cannot be helped; unavoidable
contraction; shrinking; shrinkage; constriction; deflation
remaining unchanged (from the old state of things); none the better for the change (if at all)
national isolation; closing the country (to foreigners); sakoku; policy of national isolation enacted by the Tokugawa shogunate
to act as a go-between (for); to mediate; to arrange; to entertain (guests); to treat; to receive
absolutely; positively; decidedly
(cannot) possibly; (not) by any means; (not) at all; utterly; absolutely
direct; frank; straightforward; decisive; prompt
ferocious; fierce; truculent; savage
now (esp. in contrast to the past); now at last; at present; right now
to bite into; to sink one's teeth into; to stick to; to cling to; to hold on to
to give and take; to make mutual concessions; to compromise
fortunately; luckily; thankfully
common soldier; private; rank and file; small fry; underling
role; duty; position; part
to be pretentious; to put on airs; to show off
epic film; big-budget movie
to go down in history; to be recorded in the history books
hot blood; warm blood; zeal; fervor; fervour
older sister; elder sister; young lady; miss; ma'am
sailor suit; middy uniform; two-piece school uniform modeled after the sailor suit
to be covertly swapped; to be replaced (e.g. with a counterfeit)
matter for the future; something that is a long way off; something that is not going to happen anytime soon
drama queen; (lit.) tragic heroine
to be able to do; to be possible; to be good at; to do well; to come into existence; to form; to be made
socio-economics; social economy
becoming a pupil (of); becoming a disciple; introduction (to); primer; entering through a gate
to make a display of one's originality (eccentricity); to deliberately act oddly (e.g. to get attention)
to turn over; to turn (pages); to leaf through (a book, etc.); to tear off; to strip off; to take off
author (usu. of a particular book); writer
other party; opposite party; opposing team; one's opponent; one's adversary