single-handedly (usu. of a female raising children); on one's own; as a single mother
Hikaru Genji; The Shining Genji
age difference; disparity in age; age gap
endurance; perseverance; patience
to regard (as); to recognize (as); to see as; to pay attention to; to watch
kaki (Japanese persimmon) seed; spicy baked or fried mochi chips in this shape
to bear fruit; to produce a crop
sharp (words); harsh (manner, tone, etc.); hostile (mood, attitude, etc.); spiky; prickly; jagged
to ripen; to mature; to be ready for action; to be the right time (to act); to be in common use; to come to sound natural
being once divorced; one-time divorcee; (lit.) one x mark (i.e. one name struck from the family register)
exactly right!; indeed; damn straight
adversity strengthens the foundations; after a storm comes a calm; what doesn't kill you makes you stronger; (lit.) the ground hardens after it rains
paralysis; palsy; numbness; loss of sensation; standstill; state of paralysis
unsuitable; inappropriate; improper
for a short while; for a while; for some time; for the time being
to scorn; to despise; to hold in contempt; to look down on; to disdain
awkward; embarrassed; embarrassing; inconvenient; inopportune; untimely
with energy (of parties and such); enthusiastically; going all out
layman; believer; adherent; follower; laity
horseplay; fooling around
fastidiousness; fussiness about cleanliness, etc.; clean-freak
evening deepens into night; the night wears on; night advances
occupation; profession; job; vocation; career; trade
cooking class; cookery school
to set about in earnest; to make a strenuous effort; to put one's back into (doing)
warp; curvature; bend; curve (of a sword)
to become misty; to become hazy; to get blurry; to grow dim; to be overshadowed; to be upstaged
background; scenery; background (of an incident, situation, etc.); circumstances; backing; support (from behind the scenes)
poor health; ill health; unhealthy
glass (drinking vessel); tumbler; cups (suit)
training for homemaking; training in homemaking arts; domestic training
signalling with the eyes; exchanging looks; winking