mirin; type of sweet rice wine used in cooking
with a tap; with a knock; smoothly (proceed); without a hitch; even; equal
bubble; foam; froth; head on beer
to pierce; to stab; to sting; to bite; to sew; to stitch; to pole (a boat)
eager; earnest; ardent; OFF (on switch)
preliminary arrangements; spade work
piece(s) of firewood (esp. chopped or split from logs); kindling (twigs, branches, etc.); firewood
section; cross section; profile
granulated sugar; brown sugar
to jump up; to spring up; to jump (market, price, etc.); to rise sharply; to act rashly; to jump the gun
with this I (formal); by this I (formal)
disorder; disturbance; unrest
when it becomes; when it comes to
in preparation; (shop) not yet open for business
knock; knocking; fungo hitting; hitting balls for fielding practice
ticket; token; label; tag; sign; card; playing card
grizzled; (hair) streaked with grey (gray)
narrow; thin (sized); slender
middle-age; middle age; midlife; one's middle years
man; male; masculine gender
to go wherever one has to go (to get a matter settled, e.g. the court)
teasing; banter; ribbing; jest; making fun (of); poking fun (at)
because of; owing to; due to
to decrease (in size or number); to diminish; to abate
detestable; abhorrent; loathsome
to stare in wonder; to be amazed
round coin with a (square) hole in the center; coin made of non-precious materials; money
barrier; checkpoint; gateway; hurdle; obstacle; trial
clear; clearing (a bar, hurdle, etc.); overcoming; getting through; clearing (the ball); clearing (e.g. a checked box)
straight to the point; point-blank; frank; direct
frank; direct; plain; straightforward; point-blank; concise
limitation; restriction; condition; constraints
very highly commended; highly lauded; very well-received; very popular
sometimes; at intervals; occasionally; on occasion; from time to time
café; cafe; coffeehouse; hostess bar (serving western alcoholic beverages; Taisho and Showa period)