even if not; even without
to break the ice; to broach a subject; to bring up a topic
unknown; unidentified; unspecified
child; boy; (arch.) I; (arch.) me
to be vague; to speak ambiguously; to be evasive; to not commit oneself
by nature; naturally; by birth; inborn
research area; field of research
inheritable character; inheritable; hereditary; inherited
complete cure; radical cure; complete recovery
straying; wandering (off course)
theme; topic; subject matter; motif; project; slogan
immersing oneself in; being absorbed in; devoting oneself to; giving oneself up entirely to
putting the cart before the horse; mistaking the means for the end; getting one's priorities backwards
karma; result of one's karma; fate; uncontrollable temper
parental love; parental affection
to go through; to pierce; to penetrate; to stick to (opinion, principles, etc.); to carry out; to persist with
shoulder (of a road); berm
to stop; to turn off; to park; to prevent; to suppress (a cough); to stop (someone from doing something); to dissuade
appearance; shape; form; atmosphere; look; feel
to ask again; to repeat one's question; to ask back; to ask in return; to counter
honest to a fault; foolishly honest; naively honest
vast; extensive; immense; huge; large; grand
retro; nostalgic; old-fashioned
reception hall (esp. for visiting state dignitaries); guest house; State Guest House (esp. Akasaka palace, also guest house in Kyoto)
luxurious; magnificent; extravagant; sumptuous
astringent; bitter; austere; elegant (and unobtrusive); sour (look); glum
dignity; majesty; solemnity; gravity
past middle age; nearing old age; near-elderly; age 40
to come near (to); to approach; to be on the verge of; to be about to reach (a stage, period, etc.); to overhang; to hang over
to go to meet (someone); to go to pick up
to act timid; to show diffidence; to be hesitant; to appear embarrassed; to look ashamed
cunning (acquired with age); astute; crafty; sly; wily
that way; that direction; that (one); that person; there; over there
to send (a person or thing) to; to deliver; to escort
to brave a danger; to take a risk
sounding each other out; probing each other
to stop; to quit; to put an end to
core; heart (of the matter); point; crux; kernel