autograph; signature; sign; signal; indication
even at the best of times; already; (even) under normal circumstances; in addition to; as it is
actor; actress; player; performer
business world; business circles; (the) industry
to get to know each other; to make acquaintance
celeb; celebrity; wealthy person; rich person; affluent; wealthy
country in civil war; country disarrayed by war; Warring States period (Japan, China); competiton in which there are several evenly-matched participants; hotly-contested game (match, market, etc.)
to put an end to something; to get something over with; to quit something one has been engaged in too long or to an excessive degree
famous sword; sword blade by Masamune; sake; Japanese rice wine; brand of sake from Nada region during Tenpō era (1830-1844)
cost performance; cost effectiveness; price-performance ratio; value for money; bang for one's buck
to be much obliged (to someone); to receive favor (favour); to be indebted; to be grateful
article; news story; report; account