taking up a new line of work; the beginning of things; starting the preparations for New Year's festivities (December 8 in Tokyo, December 13 in Kyoto); resuming work after the New Year's vacation
boorish; inelegant; unpolished; unromantic; tactless
to rub; to chafe; to strike (match); to lose (e.g. a match); to forfeit; to squander one's money (e.g. through gambling, Pachinko, etc.)
safflower (Carthamus tinctorius); dyer's safflower
to write down; to note; to jot down; to remember
inscription; epitaph; (manufacturer's) engraved signature; motto; maxim
detectable; noticeable; recognizable; observable
India ink; China ink; ink (of a cuttlefish, etc.)
any; anything; whatever; I am told; I hear; I understand
to bring near; to bring close; to let go near; to associate with; to bring (people) together; to let come near (of a person)
ecstatically; spellbound; with rapt attention; abstractedly; absentmindedly; absorbedly
to smell sweet; to be fragrant
crisp (like a pickle); crunchy; firm (musculature); stiff (shoulders, neck, etc.)
sweet-smelling; fragrant; aromatic; good (reputation, condition, results, etc.); favorable
calm; quiet; gentle; moderate; reasonable; amicable
to become quiet; to quiet down; to quieten down; to calm down; to die down; to subside
stationery store; stationery shop; stationer's
to obtain; to come into possession of; to get hold of; to get one's hands on
low price; moderate price
a (short) time; a while; one time (in the past); a period; (arch.) two-hour period
fastidiousness; enthusiasm for one thing; meticulousness; susceptibility for a stiffening of the shoulders
the very end; finish; to the very end; to the last; thoroughly
to be satisfied; to find peace of mind; to feel good
to rub in; to smear on; to spread on; to lay the blame on
to rest (from work, studying, etc.); to take a break
together; at the same time; same; identical
various; all sorts of; variety of; (arch.) various colors (colours)
tea (usu. green); tea break (at work); tea ceremony
traditional incense-smelling ceremony
to approach; to draw near; to gather (in one place); to come together; to stop by (while on one's way to another place); to drop by; to grow old
to cense; to burn incense
child rearing; child raising; raising children; parenting
first; foremost; most important; best; greatest; above all
imitating; copying; mimicry; behavior; behaviour; action
plain; field; hidden (structural) member; wild; lacking a political post
one's pupil; one's student; one's follower
next (year, spring, etc.); coming; since (last month, etc.); for (20 years, etc.)
pupil; disciple; follower
I'm told; is what I heard; is how it is, apparently; is what they said
to be embarrassed for a reply
having no hobbies; lacking interests; humdrum; tasteless; prosaic; vulgar