the way in which something came about; origin; structure; organization; the way something is constructed
achievement; meritorious deed; distinguished service; contribution
unappealing; uninteresting; lacking charm
pity; sorrow; pitiable; pitiful; alack; alas
overflowing with charm; full of smiles
absurd; irrational; unreasonable; absurdity (philosophy)
doubt; suspicion; misgivings; scruples
to sit cross-legged; to rest on one's laurels
slander; bad-mouthing; abuse; insult; speaking ill (of)
enjoyment; pleasure; diversion; anticipation; looking forward to
the Emperor; His Majesty; the government; the authorities; proprietress; hostess
to come; to go; to be (somewhere); to be (doing)
speciality; specialty; subject of study; expert; area of expertise
perception; intuition; the sixth sense
of great promise; with a promising future
to manage; to control; to supervise; to crack down on; to keep under strict control; to enforce
reserve; spare; treasured; valued; (ace) up one's sleeve; trump
first-rate specimen; first-rate object; superb item; superb article; excellent thing; pick (e.g. of a litter)
shunga; erotic or pornographic woodblock prints
being excluded; being ignored; being kept in the dark (about); being kept out of the loop; (lit.) outside the mosquito net
height; acme; extremity; end; limit
heading; headline; index; headword
to jump up; to spring up; to move around; to bounce up and down; to pound (of one's heart, e.g. with excitement); to throb
look (esp. an angry or upset look); expression
tanuki (Nyctereutes procyonoides); raccoon dog; sly dog; sly old fox; sly fox
twelfth month (esp. of the lunar calendar); December
fierce; intense; severe; violent; strong; vehement
straight (ahead); direct; upright; straightforward; honest; frank
country in civil war; country disarrayed by war; Warring States period (Japan, China); competiton in which there are several evenly-matched participants; hotly-contested game (match, market, etc.)
old person; elderly person; trustee of the Japan Sumo Association; retired high-ranking wrestler who is licensed to coach and receives retirement pay; senior statesman (of the Tokugawa shogunate); important local official (under the Tokugawa Shogunate)
hall; saloon; spacious room; reception room
article; news story; report; account
inarizushi; sushi wrapped in fried tofu
to poke fun at; to make fun of; to send up
insertion; letter drop; things sent to a prisoner; supply of provisions, refreshments, etc. to someone carrying out a task
to bite into; to sink one's teeth into
vinegared rice; rice prepared for sushi