to make a lovely picture; to be perfect for a picture; picture-perfect; picturesque
black ships; Western ships that came to Japan between the 16th and 19th centuries, esp. those of the Perry Expedition in 1853; foreign disruptor (of the Japanese market); product, person, etc. arriving from the West and disturbing the Japanese market
exactly; precisely; closely; tightly; properly; without fail
end of a century (esp. 19th); fin-de-siècle
materials; data; document
to begin to write; to begin writing; to begin to draw; to begin drawing; to begin painting
to slide; to slip off; to get dislocated; to be out of alignment; to get dislodged; to deviate
detailed; full; minute; knowing very well; knowledgeable (about); well-acquainted (with)
to be clear; to be distinct; to be skillful; to be skilful; to be well-executed; to get cold
illustration; picture; sketch; drawing; figure
entry (on stage); appearance (on screen); entrance; introduction (into a market)
volume (of book); reel (of film); scroll (of books or paintings); roll (paper, etc.)
meeting; rendezvous; encounter; confluence
grandmother; old woman; female senior citizen
advance notice; previous note; preliminary announcement; trailer (film, TV); preview
to be much obliged (to someone); to receive favor (favour); to be indebted; to be grateful
each time; always; often; thank you for your continued patronage
prostrating oneself; kowtowing; going down on one's knees
serious; earnest; real sword (as opposed to a wooden practice weapon)
reflection; reconsideration; introspection; regret; repentance; remorse
sorry; excuse me; thank you
why; oh; no!; quit it!; stop!
to be finished; to be completed; to be done
manuscript; copy; draft; notes; contribution
feeling; sense; impression
not entirely wrong but not entirely right; so-so; average
to be able to manage somehow or another
Sunday; day (of the month); counter for days; Japan
by the way; in this connection; incidentally; in passing
one day; (on) a certain day
bustling; busy; crowded; lively (party, voices, etc.); loud; noisy
silly person; dumb-bunny; dope
your home; your family; their home; (my) home
care-taking; house-sitting; house-watching; caretaker; house-sitter