strongish; somewhat strong
producer; grower; maker; manufacturer
superiors; big shots; higher-ups; VIPs; dignitaries
taking a long time; slowness; sluggishness; lack of firmness; looseness; slovenliness
personnel affairs; human affairs; human resources; HR
God's will; heaven's decree; mandate of Heaven; one's life; one's lifespan
to seclude oneself; to shut oneself away
to be crazy about; to be infatuated with; to be obsessively devoted to
how it came about; how it originated; how it happened; the origins of the imbroglio
just when (one is about to ...); just as; the very moment when; on the point of
reparation; indemnity; compensation; reimbursement
with a clatter; with a rattle; empty; bare; raspy (voice); gravelly; with a gargle
nonexistent; unreal; imaginary; spurious
to receive permission; to leave (with someone's permission); to retire; to refuse; to beg off doing
threat; bird-scaring device (scarecrow, gun, etc.)
to hold fast; to protect to the end
extremely important; essential; vital; crucial
shut-in; stay-at-home; hikikomori; social withdrawal; shunning other people
before ... days (months, etc.)
to start work (on); to undertake; to start committing a crime; embarkation; launch
unused things (esp. clothing); objects bought but never used
dyeing; staining; dyed colour (color)
used up (tea leaves, coffee grounds); insipid (tea, coffee made from such leaves or grounds); watery
colouring; coloring; colorant
gradation; gradation haircut; taper
boom; rage; fad; boom; cross-arm
combination; arrangement; distribution; marrying off
patent; special permission; licence (license); proprietary
careful; scrupulous; thorough; conscientious; elaborate; deliberate
being drawn to many things; distraction; difficulty of choice; difficulty in choosing; being unable to decide
mound; heap; hillock; burial mound; tomb; tumulus
equipment; installation; facilities; arrangements
to cover a surface; to spread all over; to blanket; to lay
having an audience with someone of very high social standing (e.g. the emperor)
to grow hot (e.g. water); to boil; to get excited (at); to erupt (in applause, cheering, etc.); to ferment; to melt (of metal)
contriving (to raise funds, to find time, etc.); working out (a solution)
last resort; desperate measure taken under pressure of necessity