race game (board game where the object is to reach the goal first); trad. Japanese board games played with dice, esp. ban-sugoroku
coloring; colouring; adding color; adding colour
to stare at; to look hard at; to look up and down; to scrutinize; to scrutinise
security for a loan; collateral
disclosure; exposure; revelation
makings (of); aptitude (for); groundwork; foundation
to be taken aback; to be astonished; to be dumbfounded
to give someone a surprise; to catch off guard and fluster; to frustrate (e.g. someone's plans); to give someone a blow; to scare the hell out of
as if (something untrue were actually true); like hell (e.g. "like hell I will")
poverty-stricken; destitute; poor; penurious
import; importation; introduction; afferent
royal capital; imperial capital
popularity; public favor; condition (e.g. market); tone; character
confectionery; sweets; candy; cake
thicket; coppice; brushwood
shortcake (layered cream and fruit cake; in Japan, made with sponge cake)
lifesaver; person who saved one's life
(approximate) time; around; suitable time (or condition); time of year; season
belonging to (a group, organization, etc.); affiliation (with); being attached to; being under the control of
to remove obstacles in the way of one's objective
to attack; to assault; to assail
before one knows it; before one realises; without one's knowledge; without noticing
popular; folksy; plebeian; ordinary; unpretentious
territory; domain; dominion; possession; sphere of action
but then; although; though; reasonable; natural; just
dealing appropriately (with a situation); taking proper measures; handling (an issue) carefully; making the best of (a bad bargain)
to wither; to wilt; to droop; to be dejected; to be disheartened; to be depressed
virtuous mind; good intentions; good will; positive mindset; bona fides; good faith
at any rate; anyhow; anyway; in any case; because; as you know
management; administration; operation
violence; reckless action; (an) outrage
gradually; by degrees; little by little; step by step
cloudiness; cloudy weather; fog (on a mirror, glasses, etc.); cloud (e.g. in marble); gloom; dejection
discharge; outward flow; efflux; leak of (private) information or pictures
to count on; to expect; to put confidence in; to trust in; to depend on
the person concerned; the person in question; the said person
dangerous; perilous; threatening; stern (expression); hostile (attitude); sharp