citizen's holiday; by law, any weekday that falls between two other national holidays (e.g. between 1985 and 2006 May 4, now Greenery Day)
Second World War (1939-1945); World War II; WWII; WW2
sales battle; business competition
base; basis; base (e.g. military); depot; base; base bag
doubtful; questionable; uncertain; disputable; suspicious
to elevate; to raise; to lift up; to flatter; to extol; to praise to the sky
prototype; model; pattern; archetypal
charm against evil spirits; talisman; amulet
good fortune; happiness; blessing; good luck
decoration; ornament; trimmings
New Year's pine decoration
recent past; recent times; early modern period (from the Azuchi-Momoyama period to the end of the Edo period)
tree (e.g. Christmas); tree structure; tree diagram
spread; extension; influence; aftereffect; ripple
rejection; expulsion; boycott; ostracism
to jump at the chance; to accept an offer; to show interest in; to accept a proposal
much more; still more; single layer (or storey, etc.); (arch.) rather; (arch.) sooner
to strain (oneself); to bear down; to exert oneself; to put on a bold front; to make a show of strength; to swagger
goblin; apparition; monster; ghost; phantom; spectre
body; group; party; gang; troupe; troop
hunting; harvesting (e.g. berries, fruit); picking; gathering
tradition; legend; folklore
every place; various places
nightly procession of monsters, spirits, etc.; veritable pandemonium; large number of people plotting and doing evil; creepy characters roaming about
evening; night; dinner; evening meal; counter for nights
leather boots; rubber boots; wellingtons; wellies; long boots; high boots
gradually; by degrees; little by little; steps; stairs; staircase
astringent; bitter; austere; elegant (and unobtrusive); sour (look); glum
will; desire; ambition; urge (e.g. creative urge)
great erudition; extensive knowledge; vast stock of knowledge
to the last; persistency; thoroughness