strict observance (of rules, regulations, etc.); strict adherence; conscientious practice (of good habits, etc.); diligent execution (e.g. of duties); sticking to (e.g. a routine)
since one's birth; in one's whole life; all one's life
from the place (where); from the fact that ...; caused by the fact that ...; because
to knock at the gate; to request an apprenticeship; to ask to be made a pupil
ghost; apparition; phantom; spectre; specter; demon
to have tears in one's eyes; to be moved to tears
Urashima Tarō; (a) Rip van Winkle; fairy-tale fisherman who, after visiting the underwater Palace of the Dragon King, returns centuries later
feeling of relief (for the time being); peace of mind (for now)
neighborhood; neighbourhood; street; block; town
aizuchi; back-channeling; interjections indicating that one is paying attention; two smiths hammering at an object in turn
one large ...; a great ...
to create (a sensation); to give rise to (controversy)
dress; outfit; equipment; makeup; adornment; guise
to be unusual (of a person or of a thing); to be uncommon; to be peculiar; to be crazy; to be eccentric; to be different
to forget completely; to leave behind
poor excuse (of a); nearly non-existent; barely sufficient; token (effort, etc.); symbolic
cash; ready money; money on hand; mercenary; self-interested; calculating
exceptional; unusual; extraordinary; unprecedented; singular
influenced by; in response to; in the wake of; triggered by; following
reconciliation (with one's spouse, adopted child, etc.)
delusion; trick of the imagination
to have a cramp; to be pulled too tight
fallen leaves; leaf litter; falling leaves
still more; to say nothing of; not to mention; still less
munching; crunching; scratching (an itch)
to scratch; to perspire; to shovel; to paddle
very much; intensely; overwhelmingly; excessively; irresistibly; without any obvious reason
thorny shrub; wild rose; briar; thorn; cusp
final exam; term-end examination; end-of-term examination
eve (esp. Christmas Eve); the night before
love; attachment; lovesickness
(last) flower remaining in bloom
integrated education; integrated school system; system where students can progress from elementary through secondary levels without entrance examinations
town; block; downtown; main street; street; road
one color; one colour; one article; same tendency; everyone being caught up in the same thing
middle and high-school students