short piece (of music, writing); small work (painting, sculpture, etc.); literary sketch; small article; small item
in the early period (of something); at the beginning
nothing but; nothing more than; nothing less than
animals that can legally be hunted; game animals
unforgivable; inexcusable; unpardonable
unthinkable; unimaginable; inconceivable; unclassifiable; never dreamt of
mousetrap; rattrap; rat poison; speed trap
Edo-period proclamation issued by the shogunate (or a daimyo, etc.) usu. to the general populace
grappling technique (e.g. judo)
hero; manly person; warrior
internal use; private business
communicating while drinking (usu. with colleagues); communicating through drinking together; boozing with work people
having very little difference between one another; being much of a muchness; being more or less the same; pointless competition (between two equally unimpressive parties); pissing contest
(one) could even say that
to ask for too much; to expect too much
hateful; detestable; loathsome
thin bedding; hard bed; bedding worn flat and hard by usage
brown rat (Rattus norvegicus); common rat; dark grey (colour, color); dark gray; secret evil-doer
to be cloying; to be sick and tired with; to be disgusted with; to stink
knowledge applied to evil purposes
to get change back; to be more than enough
excess flesh; surplus fat; flab
tour round the country (Japan) (visiting from province to province)
to curse (at someone); to call someone names; to speak bitterly
burial clothes; clothes worn to commit suicide
young CEO; young company president
latitude; (at one's) discretion; discretionary powers; a free hand
educational institution; academic centre; academic center
skilled; skillful; skilful; competent; capable; good
without cause; without reason
as soon as possible; at the earliest time
secret; clandestine; covert; spy (for a daimyo, shogun, etc.); secret agent
mediator; peacemaker; troubleshooter; manager
practice sword; fake sword