brush tip; first on a list; head; chief
to maintain itself; to last; to make itself pay; to make a living; to keep going
sudden price jump; steep price rise
overbearing; coercive; pushy; forcible; high-handed
defeat; lost battle; losing a war
people; citizens; subjects; folk
you; (arch.) your residence
cramp; sprain; unreasonableness; absurdity; illogical; unreasonable
advice; counsel; suggestion; tip; hint
like this; in this way; as you see
behavior; behaviour; conduct; entertainment; treat; feast
idea; plan; draft; rough copy; expectation; (arch.) desk
to highlight something; to bring something to the forefront
good thing; strong point; good family; prestigious school; the right moment; utter
to become clear; to be made public
century; hundred years; (fig.) a long time
large country; major nation; great power; province of the highest rank (ritsuryo system)
country; territory; domain; realm
major powers of the world; great powers
equality (esp. of status); equal footing; equal terms
to compete with; to vie for
to become weak; to decline; to wear; to abate; to decay; to wither
decline; degeneration; decay; waning; ebbing
royalty and titled nobility
exploitation; bleeding dry; squeezing dry; milking (e.g. a cow's teat); extracting (a liquid) through squeezing
dislike; disgust; disinclination; tired of
to shine; to be visible; to be tinged with; to rise (of water levels); to flow in; to be felt (i.e. as an emotion); to come over one
knowing; (an) acquaintance
to think, feel, consider, know, etc.
barely; narrowly; only just; with difficulty
tranquil; calm; restful; peaceful; quiet
to keep; to preserve; to hold; to last; to endure; to keep well (food)
great; grand; magnificent; outstanding; mighty
support; backing; endorsement; support; holding up; propping
to be jealous of; to envy; to begrudge
attack under the cover of darkness; surprise attack; sneak attack