mikoshi; portable Shinto shrine carried through the streets during festivals; lower back; waist; hips
dry riverbed; river beach
kindergarten (in Japan, non-compulsory education from age 3 until primary school); preschool
lifting a child high up in the air
towering; astonishingly high
to bite into; to sink one's teeth into
smart (clothing, etc.); stylish; slim; slender; skilful; slick
way of solving (a problem); solution
shameless; infamous; disgraceful
to house; to contain; to carry (a baby); to be pregnant; (arch.) to give lodging to; (arch.) to accommodate
being bunched up together; being crowded together
to be led by; to be headed by
having many difficulties in store; grim prospects
staff officer; military staff; adviser; counselor; counsellor
secret manoeuvres (maneuvers); operating behind the scenes
indomitably; undauntedly; resolutely; determinedly
theme; subject; motif; theme for the Imperial New Year's Poetry Contest
breaking ball (pitch); curve ball; screwball
to play (a stringed or keyboard instrument)
to be to the point; to hit the mark; to be relevant
companions; friends; comrades; mates; partners
talented; gifted; prodigious; virtuoso; masterful
good bye; I'm off; see you later
as soon as possible; ASAP
schoolgirl; female student
instruction (in martial arts, performance, etc.); teaching; coaching
someone else's hands; someone else's possession; hand (worker); aide; labor; labour
construction; framework; erection; assembly; organization; organisation
ingredient; component; composition
caster; newscaster; news anchor; anchorman
live music or performance
being obtrusive; being conspicuous (in a bad way)
stern; grave; austere; strict (e.g. security); severe; firm
good impression; favorable impression
at a disadvantage; in an unfavourable position; having poor prospects; standing little chance
consecutive defeats; series of defeats