influence; effect; to influence; to affect; to have an influence on
simple; plain; uncomplicated; straightforward; simple-minded; naive
trot; half run; jog; girl in charge of menial tasks in a samurai family
abdomen; belly; womb; one's mind; one's real intentions; courage; nerve
residence; estate; grounds; premises; mansion
dry riverbed; river beach
fearfully; timidly; cautiously; nervously
sound of bubbles (or other small objects) being popped; lumpy sensation (e.g. of food); little bits; small grains
in a whisper; in a low voice; in undertones
to join together; to patch together
towards (a destination); for the purpose of; with the goal of; targeting (a group, a demographic)
the way there; outbound leg; bound for ...; outbound ticket
stopping at; going no further than
to be mixed together; to be blended; to intermingle; to commingle
paint; coloring materials; colors; colours
to comb out; to brush; to untangle; to unravel
on countless occasions; many a time
beyond that point; after that
to look toward; to have one's eyes drawn towards something
condition; state; health; state (of health); way; manner
O-Bon; Obon; Bon Festival; tray
... is the reason; ... is my excuse
still more; to say nothing of; not to mention; still less
to blink (one's eyes); to wink; to bat; to twinkle (e.g. stars); to flicker; to waver
dwelling; house; residence; living; life
Nanking cherry (Prunus tomentosa); downy cherry
juice; soft drink (usu. fruit-based); sweetened drink
curiously; curiously enough; oddly enough; to the point of being mysterious; to the extent of being strange
to recommend (someone to do); to advise; to recommend (a book, someone for a position, etc.); to suggest; to offer (a drink, cigarette, seat, etc.)
circumstances; conditions; situation; reasons; state of affairs
happiness; blessedness; luck; luckily; fortunately
grizzled; (hair) streaked with grey (gray)
to scrape off; to shave off