independence; self-reliance
to cry; to weep; to sob; to howl
all; altogether; entirely; exactly like; just like; spitting image of
bloated (esp. stomach); bulging; sticking out; gaping wide; caving in
to release; to let go; to free; to add (pieces of eggplant, potato, etc.) to water, broth, etc.
bang; bam; noontime signal gun (carried out early Meiji to Taishō); noon gun; last round in a game of 12 rounds; precisely
to raise; to rear; to train; to teach; to promote the growth of; to nurture
(young) seductress; temptress; little devil; imp
to tie up in a bundle (e.g. straw, hair, bills, letters); to bundle; to govern; to manage; to fold (one's arms); to put together (one's hands)
tranquil; calm; restful; peaceful; quiet
mama; mamma; mom; female proprietress (of a bar, etc.)
to break into a smile; to smile broadly; to beam
to be peevish; to sulk; to pout
growth; development; growing up; growth (of a company, the economy, etc.)
condominium (usu. mid or high-rise); apartment building; apartment house; block of flats; apartment; flat
twelve o'clock; noon; midnight
innocent; naive; artless; unsophisticated; pure; fresh
at present; currently; so far; for now; for the time being
secret; secrecy; mystery; secret (e.g. to success); esoteric teachings
policy; course; plan (of action); magnetic needle
since one was born; (in) all one's life
floor; stage (for the narrator and the shamisen player); dining platform built across a river
to sprawl; to lie sprawled; to stretch oneself out; to lie relaxed on one's side
carrying on one's back (e.g. baby); piggybacking; (arch.) last; (arch.) end
which reminds me ...; come to think of it ...; now that you mention it ...; on that subject ...; so, if you say ...
weak point; weakness; shortcoming; defect; flaw; sore spot
to appease one's thirst; to wet one's whistle
part; portion; amount; worth (as in "two days' worth"); one's means; one's place; one's duty
to suck (or draw) out; to aspirate
to deny; to contradict; to negate (esp. a sound); to drown out
control; check; restraint; inhibition
to run (of liquid); to spread; to blur; to blot; to ooze; to well up (of tears, etc.)
to pile up; to stack; to load (car, ship, etc.); to pack; to acquire; to accumulate
to jump up; to spring up; to move around; to bounce up and down; to pound (of one's heart, e.g. with excitement); to throb
dear (old); fondly-remembered; beloved; missed; nostalgic
to like; to love; to be fond of
without (making) any mistakes; flawlessly; accurately