overseas department (administrative division of France)
Operation Tomodachi; United States Armed Forces assistance operation to support Japan in disaster relief following the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
burnishing; glazing; polishing
United Mexican States (Mexico)
Suzuki Daisuke (1978.10.27-)
Wu Zetian (624-705); Empress Wu
at the critical moment; when it counts
yakuman from having at least 13 han
agave; maguey; American aloe; century plant (Agave americana)
sofa bed; sofa-bed; sofabed
putting money aside; savings; deposit (e.g. in a bank); accumulated surplus of wins; wins in the bank
avoiding the summer heat; beating the summer heat
custom-made article; specially made article
to have one's fun spoiled; to have one's enthusiasm dampened
to be downhearted; to look miserable
Aedes (genus of mosquitoes); striped mosquito
artisan's temperament; character of a complete artisan
philharmonic (e.g. orchestra, choir)
clumsy with one's hands; all thumbs
with an open and calm mind; with no preconceived notions; without reserve; frank; candid
Hida (city, region of Gifu Prefecture, Edo-period province)
whatever; never mind; I don't care; the hell with it
People's Honour Award (honor); National Honour Award
the future is unpredictable; inscrutable are the ways of heaven; the irony of fate
to spread salt (to spiritually purify)