rope used to cordon off consecrated areas or as a talisman against evil
temple bell rung 108 times on New Year's Eve
weeding; weeder; weeding fork
during vacation; during the holidays; during one's break; (temporarily) closed; on break
edge of town; outskirts of a village
chicken or fish meatloaf made with egg
patron god; tutelar deity; guardian deity; local deity
after a short time; in a short while; a short time later
the trouble is that ...; the problem is that ...; unfortunately; annoyingly
soup containing rice cakes and vegetables (New Year's dish)
cause for headaches; pain in the neck; source of worry
conflict; fighting each other
dry grass; dead grass; hay; withered grass
as time passes; with the passing of time; with time
the year end; end of the year; last days of the year
hail; sleet; chilly rain; freezing rain
to be excited; to be elated
to lose interest (in); to grow less enthusiastic
heavy-footed; slow of foot; reluctant; disinclined; unwilling
to get moldy (mouldy); to get musty; to develop mildew
to plunder; to grab; to snatch
my spouse (esp. used to refer to one's wife); my wife; my husband
imposition (i.e. of rules, of a decision); compulsion
visitor (to a shrine or temple)
absurd; unreasonable; extreme; senseless; disorderly; chaotic
left in a state of neglect; left to go to ruin; left to run wild (e.g. of a garden)
one's nature; talents; destiny; mission; sphere of activity
rainfall; rainy weather; rainy; wet
thin veneer; hasty preparation; knowledge or skill learned as a stopgap; re-tempering a dull sword (so that it looks as if it's sharp, but is actually unusable)
arbitrarily; of its own accord; voluntarily; wilfully; willfully; as one pleases
drawing; painting; doodling; sketching
gunshot; bullet; lost messenger; truant messenger; bull's-eye (candy)
to look on enviously while doing nothing; (lit.) to hold a finger in one's mouth
in proportion to; just as much as
to be astonished to hear; to be incredulous about; to express disbelief; who do you think you're kidding by saying (that); what a laugh!
to sink deeply into one's mind; to come home to; to go to one's heart; to pierce one's body (e.g. of wind, cold, etc.)
there's no knowing; there's no telling; it's anyone's guess; who knows?
the way one talks; one's way of speaking
having in mind; happening to know of; idea
which reminds me ...; come to think of it ...; now that you mention it ...; on that subject ...; so, if you say ...
vigorous; cheerful; assertive