fall; decline; lowering; deterioration; degradation
district; region; the country; countryside; civilian society
to eat; to drink; to smoke; to suffer (e.g. defeat); to receive a blow
dark clouds; threatening signs; ominous indications
to take a breath; to take a short rest
cooking; cookery; cuisine; dealing with something; handling; administration
study group; study meeting
friction; discord; trouble; dissension; disagreement
to sow; to plant; to sow (the seeds of; e.g. conflict); to sprinkle (gold or silver powder on lacquerware)
as affairs stand; judging from the present situation; as things are now
various fiefdoms; various domains
to attack; to assault; to assail
to dart one's eyes about; to be surprised; to be bewildered; to be confused; to be flustered
kind; sort; type; similar example; parallel; the like
to correct; to touch up; to smarten up; to put one's hand in (e.g. pocket)
to screw; to twist; to distort; to parody; to torture; to wrest
short sword; knife; dagger; dirk; tantō
suddenly; in a flash; rapidly; attractive; distinguished; showy
mistake; error; fault; slip; blunder; omission
unanticipated; unexpected
guidance; leading (the way); information; notice; announcement (of one's arrival); invitation
agency; commission; reception (of guests); conveyance (of messages)
not writing or contacting for a while; neglecting (failing) to write (call, visit, etc.); long silence
to (relax and) stretch one's legs out; to go for a further walk
to weave together; to interweave; to intermingle
dots; spots; bit by bit; little by little; here and there; scattered
participation in a war; going to war; taking part in a competition or contest
service in the first reserve
(weather) front; front line; forward area; action zone
war; battle; match; game; competition
resentment; indignation; anger
assignment (of a person to somewhere); attachment (of a person to another unit, organization, etc.)
just when (one is about to ...); just as; the very moment when; on the point of
open; public; official; overt
criticism; judgement; judgment; comment
to be lacking in options; to be too few
to sharpen; to hone; to wash (rice); to scour; to polish
empty; void; vain; fruitless; lifeless
armed forces; military; troops
to stay on (e.g. at one's friends house); to remain in the same neighborhood
to resolve; to ready (oneself); to make up one's mind
to escape from; to get out
time (three times, each time, etc.); times
changing (one's job, loyalties, stance, etc.); switching over; changing quarters (geisha, prostitute, etc.)
cold reception; inhospitality
to lose sight of (one's companions); to stray from; to miss (one's chance to ...)
distinction; favoritism; favouritism; discrimination