Japan's best; number one in Japan
taking on a life of its own (of a rumour, etc.); walking by oneself; talking a walk by oneself; walking unaided; being able to walk without help; standing on one's own feet
to happen to meet; to come across
plectrum; pick; drumstick for Japanese drums (e.g. taiko)
uneventfully; without incident; without a hitch; peacefully
first night; first watch of the night; bridal night
in its entirety; whole; wholly
which reminds me ...; come to think of it ...; now that you mention it ...; on that subject ...; so, if you say ...
ground; crust (earth); foundation (building, etc.); base; constituency; power base
other than; except for; aside from; apart from; save for
steering; piloting; flying; management; handling; control
to make a mistake (in); to commit an error; to be wrong; to be incorrect; to mislead; to misguide
putting off (doing); postponement; delaying
one's favourite party trick (favorite); one's specialty; No. 18; eighteenth; repertoire of 18 kabuki plays
premises search; household search
in short; the point is; the important thing is; in a word; basically
wrong impression; subjective impression; assumption; prejudice
embodiment; realization; materialization
backing; support; backer; shield that protects one's back
to come fluttering in (e.g. leaves, snow, flowers, etc.); to come dancing in; to drop in unexpectedly; to happen unexpectedly
setting the table; laying the table; setting up; getting one's ducks in a row; running interference
conquest (of a difficulty, illness, handicap, etc.); overcoming; bringing under control; subjugation; victory over
process; operation; stage of a process; progress of work
in a day; in a brief space of time
when you really think about it; on reflection; in actual fact; once again (fashionable, popular, etc.); back (in style)
to talk oneself hoarse; to shout oneself hoarse