first match (in a series)
violation; offense; offence; breach; transgression; infringement
not knowing one's social position; overweening; overreaching; forgetting who one is
to compete; to contend; to vie; to contest
soft and elastic; flexible; pliant
obstruction; check; hindrance; prevention; impediment; interdiction
mammoth (esp. the woolly mammoth, Mammuthus primigenius)
to descend (e.g. a mountain); to go down; to alight (e.g. from bus); to get off; to step down; to retire; to be granted
(actor) relying on acting skills (rather than good looks, etc.)
absorption; suction; attraction
to get a lump in one's throat; to overflow with feelings; to be overwhelmed with emotion
variety show (e.g. on TV)
sitting cross-legged (i.e. Indian style)
to pass (the night); to spend; to reveal; to divulge; to prove; to verify
blunder; slip; error; error
circumference; outskirts; environs; (computer) peripheral
highest grade; superlative degree
to set off to advantage; to bring into prominence; to support; to favor; to rouse (spirits); to march (a prisoner) off
secret techniques (of an art or skill); inner mysteries; essence; quintessence; heart
announcement; presentation; demonstration; displaying; showing; introducing
yakyūken; strip version of rock, paper, scissors (similar to strip poker)
advantageous; favourable; better; profitable; lucrative; gainful
three flat objects (sheets of paper, pieces of cloth, etc.)
check; restraint; oppression; suppression
most suitable; optimum; optimal; best
shaking like a jelly; jellylike
flurried; flustered; upset; nervous; embarrassed
washing; sashimi chilled in iced water
opposition; rivalry; competition; antagonism
precipitous; rugged; inaccessible; grim; severe; stern
in a day; in a brief space of time
learning; acquisition (of a skill, knowledge, etc.)
cut end; section; opening; point of view; (different) perspective; new approach
to come near; to approach; to be on the verge of; to be about to; to overhang; to hang over
main performer; star performer; headliner; rakugo storyteller of the highest rank
essence; quintessence; spirit; soul; heart; pith
carefully; thoroughly; fully; deliberately