to take part in (usu. something bad); to be a party to; to have a hand in
quick on the uptake; quick to catch on; perceptive; intuitive
to sense; to suspect; to get an inkling (of something); to get wind of; to smell (e.g. danger); to become aware of (e.g. a plot)
to be left in the dust (of); to be outdone (by); to be subordinate (to); to play second fiddle (to); to take second billing (to)
correct; right; correct interpretation (answer, solution)
to pass the peak (of something); to get through the most difficult part; to be over the worst (e.g. an illness); to cross a pass
relay station (esp. on Edo-period highway); post station; stage
being widely talked about as a prominent prospect (for)
palanquin; litter; bier; kago
big and round (eyes, shaven head, etc.)
shrewd; astute; cunning; alert
intimacy; friendship; familiarity
to use (a thing, method, etc.); to make use of; to use (a person, animal, puppet, etc.); to employ; to use (time, money, etc.); to spend
Echigo (former province located in present-day Niigata Prefecture)
document (of proof); certificate; paper; bond; deed
businessman with political ties
document; writing; letter; document addressed to someone
forgery; falsification; fabrication; counterfeiting
to add (to what was said before); to say in addition
to do something in readiness for; to get something (needful) done
uncharacteristic; unbefitting; unworthy (of)
(state of) house arrest; (state of) confinement
to deepen; to heighten; to intensify
refreshing (e.g. feeling, scene, wind, morning air); brisk; bracing; fresh; refreshed
to wait for a long time; to wait and wait; to eagerly await
troubled times; turbulent times
to be reflected (in); to be mirrored (in); to impress (a person)
to be perfectly clear (water, air, etc.); to clear up
still (continuing); as ever; further
overthrow of the shogunate
chōnin (Edo-period social class of town-dwelling commoners, esp. landowning merchants); townspeople; townsfolk; tradespeople
mountain range; mountain belt
dimly; faintly; absentmindedly; vacantly; idly; aimlessly
dwelling; house; residence; den; habitat
vagrancy; wandering; nomadism
to be overcome with emotion
being seen here and there; appearing in various places
door; gate; opening; title page
to throw open; to leave open