sacrifice; victim; sacrifice (to a deity)
to exchange (things); to convert (currency); to be in contrast (to); to contrast (with)
annual function; annual event
contest of strength; trial of strength
hazing; gruelling training; waistband; woman's undergirdle
to receive permission; to leave (with someone's permission); to retire; to refuse; to beg off doing
futility; waste; uselessness; pointlessness; idleness
to chase; to run after; to pursue
by the way; in this connection; incidentally; in passing
siblings; brothers and sisters; brothers; siblings-in-law; brothers-in-law; mate
fighting with real swords; game played in real earnest
being put off (by someone's words, behaviour, etc.); being taken aback; recoiling (in shock, disgust, etc.); zooming out or pulling the camera back to get a wider image (in film and TV)
to be taught; to learn; to take lessons in
both people; two people; two directions; both directions
entry to school or university; matriculation; enrolment (in university, etc.) (enrollment)
order; command; directions; instructions
private tutor; coach; governess
coming; going; being (somewhere); come; go; stay
childhood friend; friend from infancy; old playmate
mutually; with each other; reciprocally; together; both
to compete (with each other); to contend for; to vie for; to rival
to step on a landmine; to really step in it; to screw up; to open up a can of worms
to fail to hear something; to miss; to act as if one didn't hear something; to let a remark slide
to become blunt; to grow dull; to become less capable; to weaken; to falter
one-sided; unilateral; arbitrary
after a long time; for the first time in a while
independent training (e.g. of athletes working without a coach)
previous day; day before; eve; prior day; preceding day
thin veneer; hasty preparation; knowledge or skill learned as a stopgap; re-tempering a dull sword (so that it looks as if it's sharp, but is actually unusable)
garden; yard; courtyard; field (of action); area
silver; silver colour; (fig.) snow
water system; river system; drainage system
to shoot (at); to attack; to defeat; to destroy
to break; to be broken; to be folded; to give in; to back down; to turn (a corner)
outline; main points; generally; on the whole; general; rough
one long cylindrical thing; one film, TV show, etc.; one version; one book; a certain book; ippon; one point
left and right; right and left; (asserting) control; influence; one's attendants; people accompanying one
secrecy; confidentiality; privacy; one's circumstances (esp. fiscal)
seriousness; earnestness; truth; sanctity