to be contrary to; to be inconsistent with; to act contrary to (rules or guidelines); to violate; to oppose; to rebel
preparation; arrangements
leading part; leading actor; leading actress
expressly; especially; taking the trouble (to do); intentionally; deliberately
to keep away; to keep at a distance
to not understand; to not (quite) know; to be unsure; to be unable to tell
person who pushily takes charge when cooking a hot pot at the table; (lit.) hotpot boss
strict; rigid; exact; fair; impartial
post; official position; managerial position; executive position
to decide; to determine; to establish; to lay down; to bring peace (to); to make peaceful
to write down; to note; to jot down; to remember
magistrate; shogunate administrator
(trend of) the times; current of the times; spirit of the age
blizzard of falling cherry blossoms; flurry of falling cherry blossoms
tattoo (esp. not traditional Japanese)
to carry on one's back; to be burdened with; to take responsibility for; to have (something) in the background; to be in front (of something); to be conceited
(company) director; executive; top management; important post; role with heavy responsibilities
to kill with a sword (knife, dagger, etc.); to slay; to put to the sword
playboy; libertine; (professional) gambler; person without a steady job; idler
crafty; vicious; unscrupulous; sharp
what kind of; whatever sort of; no matter what; however much
somehow (or other); for some reason; without knowing why; something (or other); some ... or other
something like ...; something called ...
way; method; means; resource; course
farewell; adieu; goodbye; so long
sukiyaki stock; stock mixed with soy sauce, mirin and sugar (used to flavor sukiyaki)
Kanto; region consisting of Tokyo and surrounding prefectures; Kanto; north-eastern half of Japan (during the feudal era)
leaving a decision to someone else (often of a meal to be selected by the chef); omakase
woven mat (of sedge, hay, etc.)
in this manner; in this way; like this
to run around; to bustle about
entertainment (of guests; esp. in the corporate world); treating (to food and drinks); wining and dining
blind spot (on the retina); blind spot; weak point; loophole
food; foodstuff; eating; appetite; meal; portion
casual; unconcerned; nonchalant
tool; implement; means; furniture
cooking; food preparation
soon; shortly; nearly; almost
New Year's Eve; December 31
thirty-first day of the month; thirty-one days
udon; thick Japanese wheat noodles
buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum); soba; Japanese buckwheat noodles
to boil; to simmer; to stew; to seethe
bad (taste); unpalatable; poor; unskillful; ugly; unattractive