soba in hot broth; soba without any trimmings
hardening; fortifying; pledge; vow; defense; defence
tolerance level; permissible range; acceptable limits
porcelain bowl; donburi; bowl of meat, fish, etc. served over rice
juice; sap; soup; broth; (dipping) sauce
to raise; to elevate; to do up (one's hair); to fly (a kite, etc.); to launch (fireworks, etc.); to land (a boat); to deep-fry
tempura; deep-fried fish and vegetables in a light batter
condiment (e.g. grated or chopped topping such as daikon, wasabi, ginger, green onion, red pepper); spice
scallion; shallot; green onion; spring onion
prawn; shrimp; lobster; crayfish
gadid (any fish of the family Gadidae, incl. cod, haddock, whiting and pollack); Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus)
soba noodles eaten at night on New Year's Eve
direct transmission (of mystery, skill, secret, etc.); initiation
daikon (variety of large white Oriental radish, Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus); ham actor
napa cabbage (Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis); nappa cabbage; Chinese cabbage
lightly pickled vegetables
violent shock; agitation; turbulence; turmoil; upheaval; excitement
first three days of the New Year (January 1-3)
to stay at (e.g. hotel); to be docked; to be berthed; to be moored
pending question; unresolved problem
holiday; day off; sleep; rest; Good night
uneasy feeling; sense of anxiety; malaise
to scheme; to plan; to play a trick; to invent; to conspire; to frame up
killing a would-be avenger; having the tables turned on someone (e.g. by a challenger); being beaten at one's own game
as soon as possible; as quickly as possible; speedily; without delay; ASAP
every year; yearly; annually
quiet; still; surreptitious
fantastic; magical; wondrous; whimsical; fairytale-like; romantic
death from cold; freezing to death
to meet fortuitously (e.g. running into an old friend); to meet by chance; to happen across
(ethyl) alcohol; spirits of wine
to smell; to smell of; to have a smell
temple bell rung 108 times on New Year's Eve
twelfth month (esp. of the lunar calendar); December
horizon (related to land)
with an extreme cold (i.e. temperature); lonelily; lonesomely; (acting) coldly (toward someone)
living thing; living creature; animal; life
wintry desolation; poor business conditions
important post; important office; key position
to be lit (e.g. candle, lamp, light bulb); to be lighted; to be burning
Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal (1885-1945); Minister of the Interior (669-1868)
official business; public business
job; work; duties; trade; skill