panting; gasping; heavy breathing
release; emission; ejection
to sob convulsively; to heave with sobs
namasu; dish of raw fish and vegetables seasoned in vinegar
small dried sardines or anchovies (gomame) cooked almost to dryness in soy sauce and sugar; tilling a rice field; person who tills a paddy field
kamaboko; steamed seasoned fish paste, usu. in a semicylindrical shape on a strip of wood and sliced to go in soup, etc.
type of food (sliced dried herring or other fish wrapped in kombu seaweed and boiled)
television; TV; TV program; TV programme; TV broadcast
red and white; colours for festive or auspicious occasions (colors); two teams; two groups; Kōhaku Uta Gassen; annual contest between male and female popular singers on New Year's Eve (sponsored and broadcast by NHK)
anyhow; in any case; at any rate; at best; at most
quite; very; 10^48; quindecillion
osechi; osechi-ryōri; traditional food eaten during the New Year's holidays
plain; simple; reserved (behaviour, attitude, etc.); modest; quite; a (little) bit
to be treated to a meal; to be given a meal
care-taking; house-sitting; house-watching; caretaker; house-sitter
(woman's) undersash; rolled omelette mixed with fish (paste) (omelet)
mashed sweet potatoes with sweetened chestnuts
basics; fundamentals; basis; foundation
to taste; to savor; to appreciate; to enjoy; to experience; to go through
standard item; usual thing; (a) classic; basic item (with stable demand); staple goods
hope; promise; expectation; anticipation; side of a structural member
to trick; to cheat; to deceive; to coax; to wheedle; to soothe and humor (humour)
New Year (esp. first three days); first month of the year; January
major cleanup; spring cleaning
a short while ago; a moment ago; just now; some time ago
that way; that direction; that (one); that person; there; over there
to scatter; to sprinkle; to distribute (handbills, etc.); to spread (rumours, etc.); to give the slip; to throw off
one-by-one; separately; every single; each and every; without omission
to swing; to wield (physically); to exercise (e.g. power, ability); to exhibit; to flourish; to prosper
being one in body and soul; of one flesh; two hearts beating as one
simply; merely; only; solely
impediment; burden; encumbrance; hindrance; drag
(not) so much; (not) that much
annual (plant); first-year student
all over Japan; throughout Japan
New Year's Eve; December 31