beginner; newcomer; novice; new pupil; new disciple
daimyo (Japanese feudal lord)
giving lessons at pupils' homes; going to train in stable other than your own
honesty; integrity; purity and unselfishness
weakening; emaciation; decline
to despair of; to see the vanity of
studying under; looking up to; apprenticing oneself to
to take care of some business; to go on an errand; to relieve oneself; to do one's business; to go to the toilet
not all bad; not as dissatisfied (or annoyed) as one would have others believe
uncertain; unreliable; inauthentic; insecure
to commit seppuku; to commit harakiri; to take responsibility (and resign); (arch.) to laugh until one splits one's side
beheading (as the ending to a seppuku); assistance; help
short sword; knife; dagger; dirk; tantō
person who beheads somebody to end a seppuku; assistant; helper
in case of; at that time; at this time
restoration; repair; mending
to cut off; to cut up; to tear to pieces
to breathe one's last; to pass away; to die; to expire
bravery; courage; heroism
to support; to back up; to revive (e.g. a company); to boost (e.g. morale); to bring up; to raise
in general; on the whole; for the most part; by and large; almost all
Island; insula; island; islet
Musashi (former province located in parts of present-day Tokyo, Kanagawa and Saitama prefectures)
style of classical Japanese swordsmanship involving use of two swords
marriage; marriage tie; love knot
efforts; exertion; endeavour; assistance; services
absolutely essential; indispensable; vital; critical
gallant; brave; imposing; awe-inspiring; severe; biting
to leave word with (a person); to state in one's will; to leave (something) unsaid; to forget to mention
anticipated questions and answers (e.g. for a press conference, interview or oral exam)
government service; entering government service; (of a ronin) finding a new lord or master to serve
marriage proposal; marriage talks
male homosexuality; sodomy; (arch.) male prostitute
grim; stern; stark; heartless
to grow; to grow up; to be good at; to excel in