the last remaining piece (which people are reluctant to take for themselves)
objectification; objectifying
might is right; history is written by the victors; winners are always right and losers are always in the wrong
high-pressure salesmanship; the hard sell; aggressive peddling
problematic divorce; (lit.) divorce drama
downward tendency; decay; decline
to be made an example of; to be made a victim of; to be exposed to ridicule
innocent; pure; naive; unsophisticated
soba in hot broth; soba without any trimmings
toilet; restroom; lavatory; bathroom
blunder; slip; error; error
degree of cloudiness; cloud cover
mockery by means of excessive praise; damning with lavish praise; backhanded compliment
traditional Japanese pattern; traditional Japanese design
cashier's desk; counter (where you pay in a store); cash desk
speech; manner of speaking
dish dressed with sesame sauce
to be hesitant; to feel timid
giving the Emperor advice on affairs of state; assistance; counsel
failing to recognize someone; underestimation
communications (e.g. post, telegraph)
osechi; osechi-ryōri; traditional food eaten during the New Year's holidays
tea seed oil; camellia oil
to affect someone's prestige; to be beneath one's dignity
elementary school (in Japan; 1886-1941); primary school
soft rush (Juncus effusus var. decipiens); common rush
to tip off (e.g. the police); to inform (on); to squeal; to rat
as you can imagine; as you might guess