to ask; to enquire; to query
eminent; prominent; distinguished; ringing (of metal); resonant (of a musical instrument)
series of biographies; lives
illegitimate (e.g. born to a mistress)
on bad terms; at loggerheads
battle of wits; contest of wits
growth; development; one's early life; upbringing; personal history
to take one's leave; to excuse oneself; to resign (from); to step down; to decline; to turn down
ochazuke; cooked rice with green tea poured on it
figure; design; twill weave; pattern of diagonal stripes; style (of writing); figure (of speech); design
pish; pooh; I see; oh; indeed
sudden; abrupt; unexpected; unforeseen
mawashi; belt; mantle; cape; gang rape
ugh; yuck; ick; blech; damn; crap
tumult; great noise; clatter; hustle and bustle
innermost depths of one's heart
to take root (of a plant); to strike root; to root; to become established (e.g. of an idea, a movement); to take hold; to take root
unripe; green; immature; immature; inexperienced; unskilled
something to rely on; aid; someone to rely on; relative; reminder; memento
to build; to construct; to put up; to build up (a fortune, reputation, enterprise, etc.); to establish (a relationship, system, etc.); to create
wild enthusiasm; being crazy about
to keep in mind; to bear in mind; to try; to aim to do; to endeavor; to endeavour
value in doing something; feeling that something is worth doing; rewarding feeling; sense of satisfaction
independent state; independent nation
Northern and Southern Courts (of Japan; 1336-1392); Northern and Southern Dynasties; Northern and Southern Dynasties (of China; 420-589)
diligently; assiduously; industriously; beavering away
miserable; wretched; unhappy; sad; pitiable
tying a person's limbs to two or four bulls and making them run in different directions (Warring States-era death penalty)
the whole body; the five styles of writing Chinese characters; the five parts of the body (head, two hands and two feet; or head, neck, chest, hands and feet)
serious criminal; heinous criminal
(criminal) punishment; penalty; sentence
execution; carrying out; execution; lead monk performing various tasks in a temple
evasion; avoidance; shirking; recusation (of a judge); taking exception (to a judge); challenge
open; frank; outspoken; unreserved; straightforward; honest
intensification; aggravation
economic strength; economic power; economic might
expansion; extension; elongation; stretching
international trade; foreign trade; overseas trade
New World (esp. the Americas, but also Australasia)