firm; strong; solid; stable
foothold; footing; toehold; stepping stone
rejoicing; glorification; exultation; celebration; enjoyment; singing praises
just because; even if; even though
whole nation; whole land; whole country
without (doing); instead of; if (it) isn't done; if (one) doesn't do ...; if not ...; unless ...
originator; ringleader; perpetrator; main culprit; person responsible
religious organization; religious organisation
background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
length and width; length and breadth; four cardinal points; every direction; as one wishes; as one pleases
using freely; making full use of; having a good command of; working (someone) hard; driving (someone) on
dominion; territory; possession
even more; still more; further
planning; scheming; maneuvering; manoeuvring
to consult with; to discuss; to confer; to deliberate
absolutely; positively; decidedly
time; age; chance; moment; occasion
exterior; surface; outside; outward appearance; looks
itself; one's own body; oneself; originally; naturally
nothing but; none other than
decline; degeneration; decay; waning; ebbing
to tumble down; to roll down
one country; whole country; hotheaded; stubborn
only; merely; just; at most; no more than
whether one likes it or not; inevitably; unavoidably; compulsorily; by force
not long has passed since ...
Metropolis (of Tokyo); (Tokyo) Metropolitan District; counter for cities and towns; capital
to discern (e.g. right from wrong); to discriminate; to distinguish; to know (manners, one's place, etc.); to understand; to bear in mind
degree (of something); greatness or smallness (of something); quantity; number; amount; size
pursuit of knowledge; studying; learning; training; completing a course
to pile up; to stack; to load (car, ship, etc.); to pack; to acquire; to accumulate
to polish; to shine; to brush (e.g. teeth); to refine (e.g. a skill); to improve; to cultivate
root; source; origin; cause
not yet known; unknown; strange
excavation; exhumation; discovery (e.g. new talent)
grinding; polishing; refining (skill, knowledge, etc.); striving to master something
connotation; comprehension; intension; inclusion; containment within
makings (of); aptitude; talent; nature; character; temperament
diligent study; devoting oneself to one's studies