accompaniment for traditional performances (noh, kabuki, etc.); orchestra; band
foreshadowing; preparation; precautionary measures
flour; meal; powder; heroin
to dust; to remove dust; to slap; to hit (with the palm); to use up money
from out of nowhere; from who knows where
flapping (of a flag, fan, etc.); fluttering; pitter-patter (of footsteps); quickly (making progress); in quick succession
festival; feast; carnival; matsuri
to chew thoroughly; to bite (e.g. one's lip); to reflect upon; to digest
softly; mildly; gently; politely
last week; the week before
crossroads; crossing; intersection; street
distant look; faraway look
demon; devil; -crazed person; -obsessed person; dreaded; terrible
which (of three or more); well; now; c'mon
specific; particular; designated; specifying; designating; identifying
to possess (someone; of an evil spirit, idea, etc.); to take hold of; to haunt
absurd; unreasonable; extreme; senseless; disorderly; chaotic
mobilization; going into action; being dispatched; being sent out; being called in; turning out
something or other; somehow
to corner; to drive to the wall; to run down; to track down; to chase after
last moment; eleventh hour; platform made of dirt used to perform executions (decapitations) in the Edo period
bowl; vessel; container; ability; capacity; calibre
consequently; as a result; in the end
feeling refreshed; feeling relieved; neat; tidy; frank; open-hearted; completely
for some reason or other; somehow; whatsitsname; what-you-call-it; and so on; and you know the rest
dull; uninteresting; insignificant; unimportant; absurd; foolish
abruptly (rising); slowly (rising)
guest; visitor; customer; client; counter for containers used to entertain guests
to stick (to); to cling (to); to adhere (to); to stay (in a place); to stick close (to someone); to follow (someone) around
so-so; passable; now, now; there, there; my, my; oh my!
what do you want?; can I help you?
babysitting; babysitter; protecting; keeping; keeper
role; assignment; position (of responsibility); post; part (in a play, film, etc.); role
holiday; day off; sleep; rest; good night
secluding oneself in the mountains; undertaking ascetic practices at a mountain temple; retreat; off-site meeting
to evade (questions); to reply evasively; to beat around the bush; to throw up a smoke screen
upskilling; improving one's skills
result (that makes an act worthwhile); worth (in doing something); value; Kai (former province located in present-day Yamanashi Prefecture)
extremely dangerous; full of peril